Therapy for Perfectionism & People-Pleasing in NYC
Supporting women in NYC and offering virtual therapy across New York and New Jersey.
Perfectionism and people-pleasing often develop in environments where being capable, helpful, or dependable was rewarded. Over time, these patterns can quietly contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout.
You may still function well on the outside, but internally feel pressure, anxiety, or a constant need to get things “right.”
Understanding What You’re Experiencing
Perfectionism and people-pleasing are not just habits. They are often deeply rooted patterns that influence how you think, feel, and respond.
You might notice:
Constant self-criticism or feeling like what you do is never enough
Difficulty relaxing unless everything is done or “perfect”
Feeling responsible for others’ feelings or reactions
Saying yes when you want to say no
Fear of disappointing others or being seen differently
Holding yourself to high or rigid standards
Feeling anxious, tense, or overwhelmed trying to keep up
Even when these patterns help you stay organized or successful, they can come at the cost of your well-being.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy offers space to understand where these patterns come from and how they continue to shape your life.
Rather than trying to force change, we focus on building awareness and flexibility.
In therapy, you can:
Understand the roots of perfectionism and people-pleasing
Reduce self-criticism and internal pressure
Recognize and shift patterns that keep you overextended
Learn to set boundaries that feel clear and sustainable
Build self-trust and a stronger sense of internal stability
Feel less driven by fear of disappointing others
Together, we focus on helping you show up in a way that feels intentional, rather than driven by pressure or fear.
Why work with me?
In my practice, I work with women who are used to holding themselves to high expectations and taking on a lot for others.
My approach is thoughtful, and grounded in both insight and practical support. I pay close attention to patterns over time, helping you understand how these tendencies developed and what will actually help shift them.
Part of our work may include identifying unhelpful thought patterns and cycles that contribute to self-criticism and pressure, and working with them in a more intentional way. When it feels useful, I also offer practical tools, information, or exercises that you can apply outside of sessions.
We also explore how earlier experiences, including upbringing and relational dynamics, continue to shape how you think, feel, and respond today.
This creates a space where you can slow down, understand yourself more clearly, and begin to respond differently in ways that feel realistic and sustainable.
Focus areas often include:
Perfectionism, self-criticism, and internal pressure
People-pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries
Fear of disappointing others or making mistakes
Over-functioning and taking on too much
Anxiety related to expectations and performance
Building confidence, self-trust, and flexibility
Together, we work toward helping you feel more steady, confident, and able to show up in a way that feels aligned rather than driven by pressure.
Natalie Saada, MA, LMHC
Education & Training
BA in Psychology from Binghamton University
MA in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University
MA in Mental Health Counseling, Licensed (LMHC) from Baruch College
EMDR Training at The Center of Excellence in EMDR Therapy
Client Google Reviews
Natalie is an exceptional therapist! I'm so grateful for the recommendation I received when I was looking for support. It’s clear that she genuinely cares and has put thought into creating a long term plan for my care. She offers great insights and helps me come up with realistic steps to move forward. She has been unbelievably helpful. She really is a gem!!
Natalie is really amazing. Speaking to her makes me feel heard and understood! She gives you tools that helps to figure out the issues instead of just simply telling you what to do. She’s amazing!
Natalie has been great. She sincerely cares and listens. Our sessions have been engaging and insightful. Just cant say enough good things about her.
If this resonates, you can book a free 15–30 minute consultation to talk through what’s going on and see if working together feels like a good fit.
The consultation is free and a chance to see if this feels right for you. Therapy sessions following the consultation are $250 for 50 minutes.
Perfectionism and people-pleasing often go hand in hand with anxiety and overthinking, especially for high-achieving women.
These patterns can also contribute to burnout and feeling overwhelmed over time.