Perfectionism and the Modern Woman: A Workshop for Over-Controlled Clients

Perfectionism is a character trait that is constantly normalized in our society. Even though perfectionists are not taken seriously, their level of over-control can interfere with their personal lives. With certain disorders such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, perfectionism is a coping style developed to help one maintain complete control over their lives. As young women, we are under immense pressure to be caring, inclusive, and ambitious beings. This can cause us to lose ourselves in prescribing to society’s standards of womanhood.

This workshop reveals how perfectionism can prevent us from performing appropriate self-care for ourselves. There will also be a brief introduction to the fairly new therapeutic approach, Radically-Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy. You will learn how to release tension in your body and mind in order to live more authentically. Letting go of control is not a weakness, it is an art.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this webinar, attendees will be able to:

1. Learn the types of perfectionism and how they manifest in young women
2. Understand the basic principles of RO-DBT and they can be applied to perfectionism behavior
3. Identify self-care ideas that reduce overcontrolled behavior and allow for more emotional freedom

Noni Vaughn-Pollard, MSEd, NDTR, MHC-LP (she/her/hers):

Noni is a native New Yorker who knew early on that she wanted to become a helping professional. She received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition studies from New York University with a minor in child psychology and recently obtained her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Hunter College. She has experience working with adolescents and young women who live with eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Noni is a therapist who uses a feminist and multicultural framework to remind her clients of their inner power. Noni is also a registered nutritionist who practices intuitive eating. Noni uses food as a gateway into personal pleasure and incorporates this belief into her personal and professional life.