Helping high achieving adults move beyond perfectionism, people-pleasing, and trauma into more connected, fulfilling relationships.
Free 15 minute consultation
Carley Irwin (she/her)
Licensed Professional Counselor
Therapy for Perfectionism, Relationships,
and Trauma
in Akron Ohio
Individual &
Couples Therapy
In Person (Akron) and
Virtual Sessions (Ohio)
It takes great courage to make mistakes
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It takes great courage to make mistakes ~~
Masking Through Competence
Perfectionism
You feel stuck in a loop of high productivity and then burnout
You have amazing attention to detail and feel frustrated when other people miss things
You feel exhausted from working very hard to reach high, impossible standards
You feeling like you are never doing enough
You are the main person managing your household and relationships
You feel like you’re propelled by a motor and the high of productivity feels addicting
People-Pleasing
You sacrifice your own needs for everyone else’s
You over-extend yourself and then feel resentful
You struggle to understand or establish boundaries
It’s hard to make decisions on your own because you fear being judged
People call you their best friend but you feel like no one really knows you
You spend much of your time anticipating others’ needs
Relationship Challenges
Relationships & Intimacy
You notice yourself repeating the same destructive patterns across relationships
You have difficulty setting boundaries or falling into people-pleasing habits
You choose unavailable or incompatible partners but don’t know why
You feel self conscious when you’re with other people and don’t know how to be yourself
You struggle to understand your needs and
and communicate clearlyYou may actively avoid moments that might lead to emotional/physical intimacy
Trauma
You struggle to open up or share what you really feel
You feeling safer being the “strong one” than being vulnerable
You overanalyze interactions for fear of being too much/not enough
You feel disconnected even in “close” relationships
You don’t trust others to be able to hold space for your needs
Conflict of any kind makes you extremely uncomfortable
Treatment Specializations
Relationship Issues
Perfectionism
People Pleasing
Communication Skills
Low Self-Esteem
Life Transitions
Sexuality & Intimacy
Complex Trauma
LGBTQ+ Support
“It’s the relationship
that heals.”
- Irvin Yalom
My approach to therapy is relational. The challenges my clients often face stem from a broken sense of safety and connection with others. This suffering is healed relationally by feeling cared for and through experiencing a sense of safety in relationship to others. Psychotherapist Patricia Young describes it best…
“to survive, a self disconnects from the source of pain and learns how to live in emotional isolation. The pain of broken relationships morphs into a lifelong pattern of disconnection from self and others.”
I show up as a real person in my work. I feel genuinely interested in understanding your ideas, personality, humor, and I believe that you benefit from me revealing my own humanity in return. Let’s be real, it’s hard to let go and show up authentically. Being messy feels messy. But it’s absolutely welcome and valued here.
Working with Me
On the outside, you look composed. On the inside, you’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or quietly unraveling and no one seems to notice because you’re so good at performing stability.
I work especially well with people navigating perfectionism, difficulty in relationships, blocks in practicing intimacy, and sexuality exploration. Many of my clients are discovering who they are beyond expectations, untangling performance pressure, deepening relationships, or healing from complex trauma.
Therapy with me is a space to slow down and hear your own voice. Together, we’ll explore what authenticity actually means for you, not what you’ve been told it should look like. We’ll gently examine the roles you’ve learned to play, the parts of you that feel hidden, and the patterns that are no longer working for you.
My approach is rooted in trauma-informed care and attachment theory. Through this lens, we explore the experiences that lead you to today's struggles. We will reimagine what balance could look like in your life; closeness and autonomy, safety and healthy risk, transparency and boundaries. Not perfection.
Not performance.
Carley Irwin
Licensed Professional Counselor
Frequently
Asked Questions
I love talking with prospective clients or people wondering about the therapy process! It can be a leap to begin therapy. You are always welcome to use the contact form below to ask any additional questions!
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My therapy practice is private-pay only and I do not accept insurance. Many clients choose private-pay therapy for greater privacy and personalized care. I can provide a superbill for possible out of network insurance reimbursement.
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My approach is warm, collaborative, and depth-oriented. I help you explore patterns and underlying experiences. I do not just focus on symptom management.
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I love working with couples. In my opinion, some of the best therapeutic work is done in couples therapy because we can address attachment wounds, communication blunders, and stuck places in real time together.
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Absolutely! I have a charming and inviting office nestled in a century home which was converted into office spaces. My office is located in Highland Square in Akron Ohio. I am always able to see clients virtually as well. Clients must be Ohio residents.
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Carley Irwin, LPC
License #C.2506790Supervisor
Julie Labanz LPCC-S, CST-S
Ohio License #E2102378
Welcome to the Office
Therapy for Perfectionism, Relationships, and Trauma in Akron, Ohio
Book a 15 Minute Consultation
Contact Form
For all other questions please use this form