Local Therapist Wants Us All to Let Go of Perfectionism
BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Therapist Erin Bennington, MSW, LCSW, has been working with high school and college students from Basking Ridge for the past seven years, and she sees a familiar pattern of perfectionism leading to burnout and depression among her young clients. As part of Somerset Hills YMCA’s mental health initiative, Bennington will present “When Good Enough is Really Good Enough: Letting Go of Perfectionism” February 6, 2025 from 7:00 PM-8:00 PM at Somerset Hills YMCA, 140 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge. The talk will focus on prioritizing what truly matters, setting boundaries, and finding contentment in doing enough rather than everything. Geared to teens, parents and anyone who feels overwhelmed and over-scheduled, the event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested via this link. Bennington emphasized that the information provided really “applies to every population.”
Bennington champions the idea that self-care is as important or more important than the other activities in our lives. Teens especially, Bennington says, “have no radar for their threshold” and continue to take on more until they are overwhelmed. She adds that although these are “all inherently good things,” we can quickly overdo it.
Bennington describes herself as a practical therapist who likes to give her clients tools for managing their workload. She recommends that students start by prioritizing academics and then build in the things they enjoy, focusing on one activity per season. The goal, she says, is “the crossroads between what we enjoy and what we’re good at.” She reminds clients not to compare themselves to others but remember “what is good for me.”
For time management, Bennington suggests putting a timer on and focusing on a particular task for twenty minutes. She warns cell phones can be a huge distraction, making it harder to focus and making tasks take longer. Lastly, she cautions clients not to over-study but to prioritize their sleep.
How can you know if your perfectionism has gone too far? Bennington says many people live with high functioning anxiety and eventually that anxiety tips into depression. Parents in particular, usually begin to notice their child no longer enjoys what they used to love and that their baseline has shifted. Bennington believes therapy is beneficial, especially during adolescence, because it helps teenagers find uninterrupted space to figure out who they are and what they enjoy, adding, “that’s where happiness comes from.” She says when a student is able to find that grounding within themselves, “so much is mitigated at college.”
Bennington serves Basking Ridge and surrounding communities at Rise Up Counseling Center, where she provides a nurturing and safe space for clients to express their unique stories. Through her approaches, she equips her clients with effective tools and strategies to reclaim their lives and envision a brighter, more hopeful future.
For more information on the event, contact Nya Noziere at [email protected] or (908) 630-3535.