Breaking Free of Toxic Perfectionism

In this 2025 conversation with Justine Willis Toms Tara Cousineau explores how perfectionism leads to burnout, stress, and anxiety. She introduces the concept of "inner algorithms" as coping patterns formed in stressful situations. She advocates for a mind-body approach to overcoming perfectionism, highlighting the importance of self-compassion and the EVOLVE method. Tara Cousineau, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist at Harvard University’s Counseling and Mental Health Services. She’s professionally trained in mind-body medicine, energy psychology, mindfulness, self-compassion, and other psychological methods. She is the author of The Kindness Cure: How The Science Of Compassion Can Heal Your Heart And Your World (New Harbinger Publications 2018) and The Perfectionist’s Dilemma: Learn the Art of Self Compassion and Become a Happy Achiever (Alcove Press 2025). Keywords: Tara Cousineau, Kindfulness, kindsight, joy, social media, procrastination, mindfulness, inner algorithms, Byron Katie, talk therapy, body therapy, IFS, Internal Family Systems, Richard C Schwartz, procrastination, Scarlett O’Hara, Tara Brach, mantras, Rick Hanson, Donna Eden, EFT. Emotional Freedom Technique, “Tapping,” Personal Transformation, Psychology