Are You Ready To Break Free from Perfectionism?
Are you a perfectionist, overachiever, or do-gooder who’s landed here because you’re stuck and ready to let go of burnout, disillusionment, and stress?
I'm glad you're here.
You don't need to give up your commitment to excellence, but at some point, perfectionism loses its edge and holds you back. There’s plenty of scientific research to back this up, but the best evidence is your own experience.
The negative effects of perfectionism accumulate over time, taking a toll on your health, wellbeing, career, relationships, and overall life satisfaction.
It's not your fault.
Greater career satisfaction
Effective leadership
Happier relationships
Enhanced overall wellbeing
More joy in everyday life
But there is hope. You can evolve into being a happy achiever. Imagine experiencing:
ORDER TODAY!
Who Is This Book For?
- If you’ve been chasing success at the cost of your peace: This book will help you find balance and joy
- If you feel like your inner critic is never satisfied: Learn how to replace self-criticism into self-leadership.
- If you want to achieve your goals without sacrificing your well-being: Dr. Cousineau’s EVOLVE program will show you how.
I empower dreamers and high-achievers to transcend perfectionism and lead with confidence, ease, and joy.
I'M DR. TARA
About the AUTHOR
That’s why I wrote The Perfectionist’s Dilemma: Learn the Art of Self Compassion and Become a Happy Achiever.
In these pages, you’ll find out what I’ve discovered on my own journey and how many others have learned to quiet their inner critics, stop self-sabotage, and become happy achievers.
The key is learning to EVOLVE—finding that sweet spot where you can chase your dreams without letting perfectionism drain you.
High standards and big goals? Yes, please! But constant stress and burnout? That’s where we draw the line. The path forward is simple and powerful, with six steps designed to help you break free:
E - Embody the Present Moment
V - Validate Your Experience
O - Open Your Heart
L - Love Your Inner Critic
V - Make a Vow
E - Spark the Energy of Excellence
By following these steps, you’ll learn to achieve without compromising your well-being or happiness. It's time to evolve into a happy achiever.
"The writing is warm, smart, funny in the right places, and accessible, packed with fascinating clinical insights, high-profile case studies, and reams of actionable, evidence-based advice grounded in Cousineau’s holistic EVOLVE framework. It's a must-read for the frazzled perfectionist.”
"The Perfectionist's Dilemma is a Brilliant Book."
— Thomas Curran, leading perfectionism researcher and author of The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough
"and equally those seeking as her readers. She wants to help you to open your heart, to love abundantly, and foremost find vitality and meaning in this precious journey of life. Dr. Cousineau helps to make a transition from empty achievement to a vibrant sense of contribution."
"Dr. Tara Cousineau cares deeply about her clients,"
—Lisa Miller, Ph.D., Columbia University Professor and Author, The Awakened Brain; The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life.
"weaving together clinical psychology and neuroscience, to help people overcome their harsh inner critic and develop a greater sense of self-compassion. Offering rigorous science and powerful tools, this book has the power to transform our individual and collective lives. Highly recommend!"
"This beautiful book imparts diverse insights about perfectionism,"
—Shauna Shapiro, author of Good Morning, I Love You: Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Practices to Rewire Your Brain For Calm, Clarity, and Joy
"First, she has normalized perfectionism. It is a drive in all of us. Most importantly, she is masterful in showing readers how to harness this natural force so your life will be more balanced, happier, and more successful – as close to perfect as wise guidance is likely to bring you."
"Tara Cousineau’s perfectionism has paid off!"
—Donna Eden and David Feinstein, Ph.D., co-authors of Energy Medicine: Balancing Your Body’s Energies for Optimal Health, Joy and Vitality
"on overcoming perfectionism. By weaving self-compassion, self-acceptance, and resilience, the author provides a practical guide to embracing imperfection and finding true fulfillment. A must-read for anyone seeking balance in a perfection-driven world.”
"The Perfectionist's Dilemma offers a transformative guide"
—James R. Doty, M.D., founder & director of the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and New York Times bestselling author of Into the Magic Shop: A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and the Secrets of the Heart and Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation and How It Changes Everything
"Brilliantly integrating psychology, neuroscience, energy psychology, mindfulness, self-compassion research, and more, this book offers a unique framework for understanding the roots of perfectionism and how to work with it. Skillfully and with clear guidance, wisdom, compelling stories and a multitude of enriching mind-body practices, Dr. Cousineau shows us how to listen inwardly, loosen the grip of perfectionism’s grasp, befriend and care for our inner critic, and transform old, protective patterns to experience ease, wholeness and joy in this human life."
"A phenomenal, must-read book for any of us who struggle with perfectionism."
— Beth Kurland, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and author of You Don’t Need to Change to Change Everything: Six Ways to Shift Your Vantage Point, Stop Striving for Happy, and Find True Well-Being
"In The Perfectionist’s Dilemma, Tara Cousineau gives us a gem of a book and what is effectively a user’s manual for anyone walking around with a nervous system. You’d expect smart and insightful from a psychologist, but what sets this book apart is its warmth, wisdom, and belief in human potential.”
“Whether you think of perfectionism as a badge or a burden, it’s not doing us any favors.
— Terri Trespicio, author, Unfollow Your Passion: How to Create a Life that Matters to You
Dr. Cousineau gets to the deep roots of perfectionism—the wish to belong and fear of rejection—with gentle clarity and affirmation. Readers will find themselves in her wonderful examples and learn how to tailor their own solutions to perfectionism. The path is kindness and the fruit is freedom. Highly recommended!
"Perfectionism is everywhere in modern culture and solutions are few."
— Christopher Germer, PhD, Lecturer (part-time), Harvard Medical School, Co-developer, Mindful Self-Compassion program, author of The Mindful Path to Self Compassion
"Tara introduces an innovative six-step solution, EVOLVE, to help you embrace self-compassion and achieve genuine happiness. The Perfectionist's Dilemma offers practical insights and compassionate guidance. It includes techniques and tools you can immediately implement for tracking your progress, and worksheets to support your journey. Whether you are looking for personal change or inspiration for those in your care, The Perfectionist's Dilemma: Learn the Art of Self-Compassion and Become a Happy Achiever is the guide you must read."
"In this comprehensive but practical guide, Dr. Tara Cousineau explores the roots of perfectionism and its often-hidden toll on your well-being.
— Professor Peta Stapleton, Clinical Psychologist, Bond University, Australia, and author of The Science Behind Tapping
"It’s bursting with modern, relatable stories and techniques to overcome broken societal expectations, bad habits, and your own inner critics. I wish I had this book at the start of my career. It should be mandatory reading for college students, young professionals and new leaders alike. Get ready to pursue excellence over perfection!”
"As a deeply skilled researcher, clinician and “recovering perfectionist”, Dr. Cousineau provides a candid, touching and insightful must read for anyone who wants to EVOLVE (the body, heart, mind and spirit)."
— Joe Burton, Author of Creating Mindful Leaders: How to Poewr Down, Power Up and Power Forward
Based on the key skills of self-compassion, mindfulness, and acceptance, her EVOLVE program promotes meaningful change and personal growth. If you struggle with an inner-critic that is never satisfied, then this is the book for you!"
The Perfectionist's Dilemma is thoughtfully written, well organized, and packed with insightful tips
— Holly Rogers, MD, Co-founder, The Mindfulness Institute for Young Adults
"Her practical tools that blend both science and heart make The Perfectionists Dilemma an essential read, especially if you are seeking to balance ambition with the ease of self-compassion.”
"With deep wisdom and compassion, Dr. Tara Cousineau illuminates the hidden pitfalls of perfectionism and provides a clear path for transformation."
– Dondi Dahlin, author of The Five Elements, and co-author with Donna Eden of The Little Book of Energy Medicine: The Essential Guide to Balancing Your Body's Energies
