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.

The Psychology of Overachievement: Understanding the Drive and Its Impact

Quick Summary

Topic: The psychology behind overachievement — what drives it, how perfectionism develops, and the emotional and relational costs of tying self-worth to performance.

Key Takeaways:

Overachievement is often a protective strategy rooted in early experiences where love or safety felt conditional on performance. Fear of failure, imposter syndrome, and societal pressure can all fuel the drive to constantly do more.
When left unchecked, overachievement carries serious costs: burnout, anxiety, depression, health problems, and strained relationships. The higher the standard, the harder it becomes to feel like enough.
Overcoming perfectionism isn’t about lowering the bar — it’s about decoupling self-worth from output. Therapeutic approaches like IFS and EMDR can help uncover what’s driving the pattern and build a healthier, more sustainable relationship with achievement.

Next Steps: Explore our therapy for high achievers and perfectionism or reach out to our team at Lisa Chen & Associates for individual therapy.

What is Perfectionism? Understanding the Root of Overachievement

Perfectionism, at its core, is the relentless pursuit of extremely high standards. But what causes perfectionism? It's a complex interplay of factors:

Early experiences: Perhaps you learned that love and approval were tied to your accomplishments.
Fear of failure: The idea of not meeting expectations (yours or others') feels catastrophic.
Imposter syndrome: A persistent feeling that you're not as competent as others perceive you to be.
Societal pressure: In our achievement-oriented culture, the bar for "success" keeps rising.

The Perfectionism-Overachievement Connection

Perfectionism and overachievement often go hand in hand. As a Manhattan Beach couples therapist, I've seen how this dynamic can strain relationships. Perfectionists set impossibly high standards not just for themselves, but often for their partners too.

Signs of perfectionism include:

All-or-nothing thinking
Excessive self-criticism
Procrastination due to fear of imperfection
Difficulty delegating tasks
Constant comparison to others

The Impact of Overachievement: When High Achievers Pay the Price

While striving for excellence can lead to success, unchecked overachievement can have serious consequences:

Burnout: Constantly pushing yourself to the limit can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion.
Perfectionist anxiety: The pressure to perform flawlessly can trigger intense anxiety.
Depression: When self-worth is tied to achievement, falling short can lead to depression.
Relationship strain: Overachievers often struggle with work-life balance, neglecting personal relationships.
Health problems: Chronic stress can lead to a host of physical health issues.

Breaking the Cycle: Coping Skills for Perfectionist Anxiety

As a psychotherapist offering therapy for perfectionism in Hermosa Beach and the Los Angeles area, I've helped many overachievers find a more balanced approach. Here are some coping skills to manage perfectionist anxiety:

Practice mindfulness: Stay present rather than worrying about future outcomes.
Use positive self-talk: Replace self-criticism with encouraging, realistic thoughts.
Set boundaries: Learn to say no to protect your time and energy.
Practice gradual exposure: Intentionally make small "mistakes" to desensitize yourself to imperfection.
Use relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation can help manage anxiety.

How to Overcome Perfectionism: Strategies for Healthy Achievement

Overcoming perfectionism doesn't mean lowering your standards. It's about adopting a healthier, more balanced approach to achievement. Here's how:

Set realistic goals: Aim for progress, not perfection. Break big goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Remember, setbacks are a normal part of growth.
Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness you'd offer a friend.
Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small.
Redefine success: Consider what truly matters to you, beyond external achievements.
Prioritize self-care: Make time for relaxation, hobbies, and relationships.
Challenge your thoughts: Question the beliefs driving your perfectionism.

The Role of Therapy in Managing Overachievement

Therapy can be a powerful tool in addressing the root causes of overachievement and perfectionism. Through techniques like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness, you can learn to:

Identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns
Develop healthier coping mechanisms
Improve work-life balance
Build self-esteem that's not tied to achievements
Manage perfectionist anxiety

Remember, you are more than your achievements. Your worth isn't measured by your productivity or perfection, but by the unique individual you are.

Ready to break free from the cycle of overachievement and perfectionism? Take the first step towards a more balanced life. Schedule a consultation with us at Lisa Chen & Associates for therapy in Hermosa Beach. Whether you're looking for individual therapy or couples counseling to address how overachievement is impacting your relationship, we're here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What causes someone to become an overachiever?
Overachievement is often a protective strategy developed in childhood to gain approval, avoid emotional discomfort, or feel in control. It can stem from environments where love felt conditional or where safety came from performance.

2. What are signs that overachievement is becoming unhealthy?
Warning signs include chronic burnout, inability to rest without guilt, tying self-worth to accomplishments, emotional disconnection, strained relationships, and feeling like achievements are never “enough.”

3. Can therapy help with overachievement patterns?
Yes. Therapy—especially modalities like IFS or EMDR—can uncover the parts driving perfectionism or productivity, address underlying beliefs, and help you feel safe being enough without constantly doing more.