Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Perfectionism in children is when a child feels they have to be perfect all the time, setting unrealistically high standards and getting upset when things don’t go exactly right. It’s more than just wanting to do well — it’s a strong fear of making mistakes or letting others down. Kids who struggle with this might avoid trying new things, spend ages on homework, get frustrated over small errors, or constantly seek reassurance. While some drive to succeed is healthy, perfectionism can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout. Treatment for perfectionism in children can help them develop more balanced thinking, build resilience, and feel more comfortable doing their best — even when things aren’t perfect.
If these signs are getting in the way of their wellbeing or day-to-day life, it might be worth looking into treatment for perfectionism in children with a psychologist who can help them manage the pressure they put on themselves.
Fear of making mistakes – they get very anxious or upset if things don’t go exactly right.
Avoidance – they might avoid starting tasks or trying new things if there’s a chance they won’t do them perfectly.
Excessive time on work – they can spend hours on homework or projects trying to “get it just right”.
Overly self-critical – they’re hard on themselves, even when they’ve done a good job.
Constant reassurance-seeking – they often ask if things are good enough or if they’ve done it right.
Frustration or meltdowns over small mistakes – even tiny errors can feel like a big deal.
Comparing themselves to others – they may feel “not good enough” next to peers.
Perfectionism in kids has steadily increased over the past 30 years
Around 1 in 3 high-achieving Australian students show signs of unhealthy perfectionism
Perfectionism is strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and burnout in children
Many perfectionistic children hide their struggles, making it easy to miss
Perfectionism in children isn’t just about high standards or wanting to do well. It often involves a strong fear of making mistakes, disappointing others, or not being good enough. These kids can be incredibly hard on themselves and may struggle with stress, anxiety, or low self-esteem, especially when things don’t go to plan.
Over time, this pressure can affect their mental health, relationships, and motivation. Perfectionism can start early, and while some children may seem to be coping on the surface, they’re often managing a lot of inner stress. Fortunately, research has shown that perfectionism is treatable with the right support.
A 2023 systematic review published in Behaviour Research and Therapy looked at a range of psychological treatments for perfectionism in children and teens. The review found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most effective and well-researched approach.
CBT helps children learn how their thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected. In therapy, kids are supported to notice unhelpful patterns like all-or-nothing thinking or being overly self-critical, and they’re guided to practise more flexible, balanced ways of thinking. They also work on gradually reducing the fear of making mistakes and learning how to handle challenges without overwhelming stress.
What’s especially helpful is that CBT can be adapted to suit different settings. The research found that individual therapy, group programs, and guided self-help can all be effective depending on the child and their situation.
Australian research has also looked at the benefits of early intervention. One study trialled a program where parents were taught CBT-based tools to use with their children at home. The results showed that supporting parents in this way helped reduce perfectionistic thinking in children and lowered the risk of future anxiety and depression.
This highlights the value of working with families early on. Helping children learn to manage unhelpful perfectionism in their everyday routines can lead to stronger emotional resilience and better long-term outcomes.
There is strong evidence that treatment for perfectionism in children is both effective and accessible. When children receive support early, they can learn to let go of unrealistic standards, cope better with setbacks, and build self-confidence. Whether through one-on-one sessions, family involvement, or group-based support, research shows that these strategies work.
At MindBox Psychology, our clinical psychologists use evidence-based approaches tailored to each child’s needs. With the right support, children can learn that it’s okay to make mistakes, that effort matters more than perfection, and that they don’t have to carry the weight of unrealistic expectations.
*Source: Coming of age: A reflection of the first 21 years of cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism – ScienceDirect
Focus on how hard they tried, not how perfect it was.
Talk about your own mistakes and how you handled them calmly.
Help them see that things don’t have to be perfect to be worthwhile.
Clinical Psychologist, Director of MindBox Psychology
Our Psychologists are highly qualified, with Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness, to help individuals struggling with perfectionism, supporting them in managing high self-expectations, reducing anxiety, and developing a balanced mindset.
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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