A Safe Space to Let Go of the Perfectionist Mask and Be You.
Gabi Barnett, LPC-MHSP in Brentwood and throughout TN
Therapy for Anxiety, Tennessee
Right now, you might be feeling alone, dismissed, or like you're stuck in a loop that never ends.
Your mind constantly battles back and forth, trying to figure out the "right" way to handle everything in life.
Somewhere along the way, your mind decided that the best way to help was by pressuring you—telling you that you could always do more, always do better. And whenever you try to celebrate even the smallest win, that voice in your head shuts it down, telling you it’s not enough or that you "should’ve" done it differently. It’s like no matter what, you can’t win.
It can feel like the truth, but you’re starting to wonder: Is it really? And more importantly, Is this really helping me?
You’re stuck in this endless tug-of-war, unsure of how to reach out to others for help, support, or even just perspective... until now.
By simply being here, you've already taken the first step in breaking that cycle. You've told your inner critic, “I’m ready for something different.”
If it feels okay for you, take a moment—let out a breath of relief.
You're here.
You’ve made it this far, and you don’t have to face all of this alone anymore.
I’m Gabi, and I want to help you celebrate you—
in all the big and small ways you show up for yourself and others every single day.
So often, we overlook, minimize, or dismiss our own efforts and accomplishments. But I’m here to help you notice and honor them—starting with simple recognition and gentle acknowledgment.
Together, we’ll build a strong, trusting partnership that allows you to feel safe, heard, and supported in talking about what’s going on in your life.
For a perfectionist, anxiety is infused into practically every aspect of life. It is a constant worry, fear, and apprehension– not only about the situation, but about how you are going to be in the situation.
At its core, is the panic that you are somehow going to get it wrong, which your mind immediately translates into being found out that ‘you're wrong.’
Anxiety keeps you constantly thinking about how to be better, do better-reliving past mistakes for answers of how to get it right and rehearsing future events to not mess up–again. Your anxious brain lets every mistake, unmet expectation, or perceived shortcoming becomes proof of your theory that you are in fact not good enough unless you are perfect, while conveniently ignoring anything you do well.
Over time, these anxieties feel like the only reason you are successful- at work, with family and friends, in staying healthy, or having a clean house. It takes an extreme amount of mental and emotional energy to keep it all together, and avoid others seeing you as anything other than someone who has their shit together, you keep any and all struggles to yourself. This anxiety reinforces the behaviors that support the belief that you have to be perfect in order to be successful and connect with others, leaving your mind to become its own echo chamber where this belief feels undeniable true.
At therapy for anxiety, Tennessee, change happens gradually. While anxiety often pushes for immediate, all-in solutions, big changes happening quickly can be overwhelming and unsustainable. So, instead we focus on taking small, manageable steps towards something different–gathering data for what works- or not- and intentionally noticing –and even celebrating– the progress made.
My approach is dynamic and interactive, offering guidance toward new perspectives through thoughtful feedback, reframing unhelpful thoughts, and collaboratively brainstorming skills to practice between sessions. While I will absolutely sit with you, listen, and ask ‘how does that make you feel?’, I am not a blank-slate therapist. I ask questions, share observations, provide analogies, and offer feedback in ways that are intentional, organic, and tailored to meet you where you are.
This process creates space for you to begin believing something different—by gently showing up for yourself in new ways and discovering, through experience, that change doesn’t have to feel abrupt or unsafe.
What It’s Like Working Together:
Therapy for Anxiety, Tennessee
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The most foundational part of our work together is creating a strong therapeutic partnership—one where you feel safe enough to share the most uncomfortable parts of yourself without fear of judgment. As we build this trust, you’ll begin to challenge long-held fears and self-doubts, allowing yourself to show up more honestly in your life, your relationships, and your decisions. The more you experience this space of gentleness, openness, and acceptance, the easier it becomes to offer that same kindness to yourself.
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It’s hard to break free from self-criticism when you don’t know where it started. Together, we’ll explore the messages you’ve received about your worth, success, and identity—and, more importantly, how these beliefs have shaped your inner voice. We’ll identify whose words you’ve internalized, how those words shaped your behavior, and begin the work of shifting outdated, harmful narratives. As you recognize these patterns, you’ll gain the power to rewrite the script, creating space for new, more compassionate ways of thinking.
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When perfectionism and self-doubt take over, it’s easy to lose sight of who you are beneath the expectations. By identifying and reconnecting with your core values, you’ll gain a clear, steady foundation to turn to when anxiety creeps in. Instead of making decisions based on fear, pressure, or what you "should" do, you’ll learn to make choices that align with what truly matters to you—helping you feel more confident, intentional, and in control of your life.
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Effectively challenging anxiety & perfectionism requires new experiences. When we gently do the things you’ve labeled ‘scary’, you gather real evidence that what’s predicted as “the worst thing ever” is often manageable—if it happens at all. Making a mistake, saying yes to help, or allowing yourself to rest, demonstrate that your life doesn’t spiral out of control when you are imperfect. These experiences slowly loosen anxiety’s grip, giving way to more flexible, helpful beliefs.
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Lasting change doesn’t come from ignoring your inner critic—it comes from teaching it a new way to support you. We’ll work on acknowledging both the “bully” and the “cheerleader” within, helping them find a way to work together rather than against each other. You’ll build the ability to recognize and celebrate your efforts, even on imperfect days, strengthening the mindset that you are already enough—exactly as you are.
Therapy for Anxiety, TN Specialties:
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Perfectionism Treatment
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Anxiety & Depression
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Relationships
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College Students & Young Professionals
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My Approach:
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Mindfulness is a powerful tool to break free from overthinking, self-criticism, and the constant pressure to be "enough." Through:
Connection – Instead of being trapped in past regrets or future worries, mindfulness helps you anchor into the present moment. You learn to recognize your thoughts and feelings without getting lost in them, making space for clarity and calm.
Curiosity – Mindfulness encourages gentle questioning—"Is this thought true? Is it helpful?"—helping you challenge self-critical patterns rather than automatically believing them as fact.
Compassion – Instead of judging yourself for your feeling, mindfulness fosters self-kindness. You learn to sit with discomfort without shame, reducing emotional exhaustion and creating a more supportive inner dialogue.
By practicing mindfulness therapy for anxiety, tn, you stop living on autopilot and start making choices that align with your values, rather than perfectionism’s demands.
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Perfectionists often struggle to control their thoughts and emotions, leading to exhaustion and frustration. ACT helps you step out of this battle. Instead of resisting difficult feelings, you learn to accept them, reducing the energy spent on self-judgment. With this shift, you can focus on what truly matters—living a life aligned with your values, rather than dictated by fear or self-doubt. Over time, ACT builds psychological flexibility, helping you respond to emotions in a way that supports—not limits—you.
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Perfectionism often comes with intense emotions—fear of failure, shame, and overwhelm. DBT and CBT provide tools to navigate these feelings instead of being controlled by them.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) teaches distress tolerance and emotional regulation, so you can face challenges without spiraling into anxiety or avoidance.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) helps reframe perfectionistic and self-critical thoughts, replacing them with a more balanced, compassionate perspective.
Together, these approaches help you manage stress, challenge negative thinking, and build resilience—so you can stop chasing impossible standards and start embracing yourself.
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is one of the most important approaches in therapy for anxiety, Tennessee. Healing from perfectionism means learning to trust yourself. In our sessions, you’ll have a nonjudgmental space to explore your thoughts and emotions freely. Through this approach, you’ll begin to tune into your own needs, silence the inner critic, and develop self-compassion. Instead of measuring yourself against external expectations, you’ll feel empowered to show up as your authentic self—imperfections and all.
In therapy for anxiety, Tennessee, each of these therapeutic approaches plays a role in helping you shift perfectionistic patterns and quiet your inner critic:
ACT – Helps you stop fighting emotions and instead focus on living with intention.
DBT & CBT – Provide concrete tools to regulate emotions and reshape self-critical thoughts.
Person-Centered Therapy – Creates a foundation of acceptance and self-trust.
Through our work together, you learn to accept that being human means having flaws and imperfections, and embracing the idea that you are enough—just as you are. These therapeutic tools help you manage the pressure and reduce the emotional toll of perfectionism, so you can feel more at ease in your own skin. Over time, you’ll find that you have more energy to focus on what truly matters and feel more in control of your emotions
Degrees:
Loyola University Maryland
MS Counseling Psychology
Magna Cum Laude
Syracuse University
BA Psychology and BS Child and Family Studies
Summa Cum Laude
Credentials
Licensure:
Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider
License Number:
4422
Trainings:
Acceptance-Commitment Therapy
Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing: focus in Substance Use