Ep 12. Coherence Trap, People Pleasing & More with Dr. Clarissa Ong, Author of The Anxious Perfectionist

"Perfectionistic behaviors make life easier for other people—
but often harder for ourselves."

 

In this insightful episode of Success Reimagined, Dr. Amna Shabbir sits down with Dr. Clarissa Ong, co-author of The Anxious Perfectionist, to explore the hidden emotional costs of perfectionism, the psychological trap of coherence, and how high achievers can begin to shift from performance to presence.

Together, they explore:

✅ The rigidity at the root of perfectionism
✅ How the “coherence trap” keeps us stuck in self-limiting narratives
✅ People-pleasing as a form of self-erasure
✅ The problem with replacing rules with values—without flexibility
✅ Why “almost perfect” can feel worse than failure
✅ Tangible ways to reconnect with a values-based identity

👤 About the Guest:
Dr. Clarissa Ong is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at the University of Louisville, and co-author of The Anxious Perfectionist. She leads the Process-Oriented Intervention Science (POIS) Lab and has authored over 60 peer-reviewed papers focused on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), OCD, hoarding, and perfectionism.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Ong:
📘 The Anxious Perfectionist: https://www.newharbinger.com/9781684038459/the-anxious-perfectionist/
🧪 Lab Website: https://www.poislab.com
📊 Participant Recruitment: https://www.poislab.com/current-projects
🌿 Clinical Page: https://junipermh.com/team/clarissa-ong/
💬 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/clarissaong.bsky.social 

🎙 About the Host:
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a Dual Board-certified Geriatrics and Internal Medicine Physician, Master Certified Coach, Professional Speaker, Mental Health Advocate, and Super Mom. She is the Founder of Amna Shabbir Wellness Coaching and the Early Career Physicians Institute®, where she empowers high achievers to redefine success and create sustainable well-being.
This episode is part of her special book-writing project on unmasking perfectionism.

🔹 Connect with Dr. Shabbir:
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md/
🌍 Book Her to Speak: https://www.dramnashabbir.com/Speaking

❌ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.

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