Therapy for Perfectionism & High-Achieving Women
Brianna Paruolo, LMHC
As featured in:
Therapy for women in their 20s and 30s who refuse to choose between ambition and well-being.
Are your adult years defined by constant comparison? Did you feel a pressure to achieve? Live with the unspoken rule that you should be grateful for opportunities, had to take every one or fall behind, and could never admit you’re exhausted?
Many of my a Millennial and Gen Z female clients face unprecedented expectations: excel in male-dominated spaces, maintain a curated online presence, and somehow find work-life balance in industries that each year demand more for less.
Your ambition isn't the problem, it's the toxic relationship with success you've inherited.
Therapy for Professional Women Who Are:
Overwhelmed, anxious, or “not themselves”
Outwardly thriving, inwardly questioning
Feel empty despite hitting goals
The youngest or only woman in the room, battling imposter syndrome
Running on empty + afraid admitting it undermines credibility
“If Your Intuition Says It’s Time For Therapy…it is”
True success includes achievement and well-being, not just one at the expense of the other.
High achieving women learn to push through doubt, minimize their struggles, and maintain composure even when overwhelmed. While this resilience can serve professional advancement, it often comes at a personal cost. The best time for therapy is before that cost becomes too high.
My integrated approach combines CBT, DBT and psychodynamic techniques specifically tailored for ambitious women who want success that feels good, not just looks good on paper.
The Methods We'll Use to Align Success With Wellbeing
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When you're refreshing your email at 11PM, convinced your boss's delayed response means your work wasn't good enough... When you replay every word of your presentation, focusing only on the moments you stumbled... When you compare yourself to peers on LinkedIn and conclude you're falling behind...
CBT equips you with concrete techniques to interrupt these thought spirals. You'll develop skills to evaluate evidence, challenge assumptions, and cultivate a relationship with yourself that's both ambitious and compassionate
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When stress has you snapping at colleagues despite your best intentions... When you feel overwhelmed by competing priorities and can't see a clear path forward... When your emotions feel too intense to manage professionally but too important to ignore...
DBT teaches you practical skills to navigate these high-pressure moments with balance. You'll learn techniques to stay grounded during stress, communicate effectively in charged situations, and create boundaries that honor both your ambition and wellbeing
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When you're excelling in your career but still feel like you're never doing enough... When your need for external validation consistently overrides your intuition... When you find yourself in familiar patterns despite promising 'never again'...
Psychodynamic Therapy helps you uncover the deeper roots of these recurring challenges. You'll explore how early experiences shape your current approach to achievement, recognize unconscious patterns driving your decisions, and develop authentic confidence that comes from understanding yourself, not just accomplishing more.
Therapy With Me - Moves You From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Together, we'll address your most pressing questions:
"Why do I feel constant pressure to do more, even when I'm already doing enough?"
The voice of perfectionism is relentless, especially for high-achieving women. We'll identify its origins, challenge its authority, and replace it with balanced self-expectations that drive success without demanding exhaustion.
"Why doesn't achievement bring the fulfillment I expected?"
Many ambitious women discover that crossing finish lines brings relief, not joy. We'll explore what truly energizes you beyond external recognition and build a foundation for success that feels meaningful, not just impressive.
"How do I maintain boundaries when everyone relies on me?"
Being the dependable one often means your needs come last. We'll develop strategies to communicate your limits clearly, prioritize your wellbeing without guilt, and create relationships where support flows both ways.
What High-Achieving Women Say About Our Work Together
About Brianna Paruolo, LMHC
I provide virtual therapy for women in New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Florida.
On Par Therapy exists because I needed it myself. Before becoming a therapist, I managed social media strategy for health and wellness brands, then transitioned to a People & Culture role at a unicorn startup while pursuing my master's degree.
I understand perfectionism, burnout, and self-doubt not just clinically, but personally. This unique perspective has led major news outlets and publications to tap me as a mental health specialist, providing insights on everything from workplace stress and impostor syndrome to dating dynamics and narcissism.
My practice focuses on the challenges high-achieving women face most: the anxiety that never fully quiets, the perfectionism that both drives and exhausts you, disruptive life transitions, and relationship patterns that feel frustratingly familiar. I integrate CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and relational therapy with a real-world understanding of what it takes to excel without self-destructing.
Therapy with me feels grounded and intelligent, and I like speaking with someone who genuinely gets it because I've sat on both sides of the conversation.
CLINICAL EXPERTISE & CREDENTIALS
As founder and Clinical Director of On Par Therapy NYC, I bring elite training and specialized certification to your therapeutic journey:
Advanced Education
Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, St. John's University
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, St. John's University
President of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society
Specialized Certifications
Certified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC)
SBIRT Certified
Psychological First Aid (PFA) Certified
Clinical Experience
Former Primary Therapist at one of the nation's leading eating disorder residential treatment centers
Clinical training in integrative psychotherapy, incorporating innovative approaches including play therapy, biofeedback, and neurofeedback
Featured mental health expert in major media publications and news outlets
FAQs About My Practice
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Therapy designed around your schedule, not the other way around.
- Early morning, evening & weekend availability
- Flexible rescheduling that respects your busy life
- Choose between virtual or phone sessions -
We handle the administrative details you don't have time for.
- 80% average insurance reimbursement
- We manage all insurance paperwork & verification
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees -
Free 15-minute consultation to ensure it's the right fit
Quick insurance verification if you're using benefits
Flexible payment options including HSA/FSA
Same-week appointments often available
Simple online booking system