How do I know if Lisa Chen & Associates is the right fit for me?

We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation. It's a chance to get to know us, understand our approach, and see if we align with your needs. The purpose of an initial consultation is to determine if you are a good fit for working together. You can expect a 15–20 minute conversation where you will have the opportunity to share your concerns, goals, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This is also a chance for you to ask questions and get a sense of the therapist's approach and personality.

Our fees range from $180 to $350 per 50-minute session based on the clinician's experience, specialized training, and services provided. Lisa Chen's fees are $350 per 50-minute session for both individual and couples counseling. Licensed Client Session fees are $200 for individual and $225 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. Associate Clinician fees are $180 for individual and $200 for couples counseling per 50-minute session. We also reserve spots for clients requesting a sliding-scale rate to accommodate financial needs.

Do you accept insurance?

Lisa Chen & Associates are out-of-network providers. We provide monthly insurance statements ('Superbills') for you to seek partial reimbursement from your insurance company according to your policy. For questions about your out-of-network benefits, please contact your insurance carrier before scheduling.

What is your cancellation policy?

Weekly clients are allowed 3 free cancellations every 6 months, and bi-weekly clients are allowed 2 free cancellations every 6 months, beginning from the date of your first session. You will be responsible for payment for your normally scheduled session time for all cancelled appointments beyond this. Please provide at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations. You may always choose to reschedule and/or take sessions virtually to accommodate occasional scheduling conflicts.

How often should I expect to meet?

We recommend weekly therapy sessions for optimal progress. However, there are times when clients prefer to meet twice a week for more complex challenges. During your initial phone consultation, let us know if you are interested in more frequent sessions.

Are you offering in-person sessions?

Yes, we are seeing clients in our South Bay office located at 2615 Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 326, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. We also offer telehealth sessions for California residents.

How do I get started with counseling?

The first step is to schedule an initial consultation by calling our office or submitting the contact form on our website. This allows us to understand your needs and match you with the best therapist for your situation. From there, we'll work with you to schedule ongoing sessions.

From Perfectionism to Excellencism: The Shift High Achievers Need

Quick Summary

Perfectionism might look like a success strategy, but research shows it often leads to burnout, procrastination, and disconnection. Excellencism is the alternative mindset — a way to pursue high standards without sacrificing mental health. In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences, show you how to shift from perfection to excellence, and offer a free self-check guide to get started.
(Related: Therapy for High Achievers in Hermosa Beach)

The Problem with Perfectionism

Perfectionism is often praised — especially in high-pressure careers — but studies show it can quietly erode mental health. Socially prescribed perfectionism (the belief that others expect you to be perfect) is strongly associated with anxiety, depression, and burnout in professionals and students alike.

“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”

— Lisa Chen, LMFT Executive Therapist in Hermosa Beach

Common signs of maladaptive perfectionism:

Constant fear of letting others down
Procrastination or over-preparing before launching anything
Harsh self-criticism and rumination after mistakes
Difficulty celebrating wins before moving to the next goal

Introducing Excellencism

Excellencism isn’t about lowering your standards — it’s about pursuing high standards with flexibility, curiosity, and self-compassion. It’s the mindset that allows you to strive for quality without letting fear or shame run the show.

Where perfectionism says: “Be flawless or you’ve failed,” excellencism says: “Aim high, experiment, and grow from the process.”

Think of a big work presentation:

Perfectionism has you spending sleepless nights tweaking slides until 2 a.m., terrified of making a single mistake.
Excellencism helps you prepare thoughtfully, practice until you feel confident, and trust that your message matters more than being mistake-free.

When you practice excellencism, you still achieve remarkable results — but with less anxiety, more creativity, and a greater sense of satisfaction along the way.

Why This Shift Matters for High Achievers

Research from the American Psychological Association shows that perfectionism is rising among younger generations and high performers — often correlating with anxiety and diminished creativity. Excellencism offers a way to stay ambitious without burning out.

Lisa Chen, LMFT, shares:

“I see clients every week who think their anxiety is the price of admission for success. It isn’t. Excellencism helps them stay driven — but from a grounded, resilient place.”

How to Move from Perfectionism to Excellencism

Shifting this mindset takes practice, but it’s possible:

Notice the “Perfect or Nothing” Thoughts
Write them down. Ask yourself: Is this realistic? Or am I trying to avoid feeling imperfect?
Set “Excellence” Goals
Replace outcome goals (“This must be flawless”) with process goals (“I will deliver my best work and reflect on what I can improve next time”).
Use Time as a Boundary
Perfectionists over-polish. Excellencists use deadlines to stay in motion.
Practice Self-Compassion
Kristin Neff’s research shows self-compassion increases motivation and resilience — it’s a performance enhancer, not a weakness. Read more here.
Celebrate Progress
Create rituals that mark growth, not just end results — whether it’s journaling weekly wins or debriefing after big projects.

Self-Check: Are You Practicing Excellencism?

Download our free Excellencism Self-Check Guide to identify where perfectionism still shows up and get practical strategies to shift.

When Therapy Can Help

If perfectionism is driving anxiety, insomnia, or relationship tension, therapy can help you break the cycle. At Lisa Chen & Associates Therapy, we specialize in helping high achievers transform perfectionism into sustainable excellence — without losing their edge.

Ready to trade perfection for progress?
Book a free consultation today to see how therapy can help you thrive — not just perform.
Schedule Your Free Consultation →

FAQs

Q: Is excellencism just a “nice word” for lowering standards?
A: No. Excellencism actually encourages higher quality work by removing the paralysis and fear that perfectionism creates.

Q: Can perfectionism ever be healthy?
A: Adaptive perfectionism — having high standards and working hard — can be positive. The goal is to remove the self-critical, rigid part that causes suffering.

Q: How does therapy help with perfectionism?
A: Therapy helps uncover the root causes (often early criticism or achievement pressure), reframe unhelpful beliefs, and build self-compassion and flexibility.