Therapy for a Harsh Inner Critic

Psychotherapy In - person in Toronto / Virtual across Ontario

When the voice inside is too harsh — and you’re tired of second-guessing yourself.

What if you didn’t have to be so hard on yourself?

The inner critic often sounds like a harsh voice in your head — second-guessing your choices, telling you you’re not doing enough, or holding you to impossible standards. Sometimes it’s loud and relentless. Other times, it’s subtle — a quiet feeling of never quite measuring up.

You might find yourself overthinking, people-pleasing, procrastinating, or burning out from trying to get everything “right.” It can feel like you’re stuck in a loop: striving, doubting, and still not feeling good enough.

Therapy can help you understand where this voice came from, and how to loosen its grip — so you can relate to yourself with more compassion, clarity, and trust.

How I Can Help

Together, we’ll create space to slow down and really notice how your inner critic shows up — and what it might be protecting you from.

Unfortunately, the inner critic voice can never go away permanently as it is a crucial part of our survival, but it can be soften. So, this work is not about silencing or fighting with that voice, but understanding it, re-organize the power dynamic and reconnecting with the parts of you it may be overshadowing.

Here’s what our work might look like:

  • We’ll identify the patterns and beliefs behind your inner criticism — often rooted in past experiences or internalized expectations.

  • You’ll begin to recognize your inner critic in real time and learn how to respond differently.

  • We’ll explore the softer, more compassionate parts of you that often get drowned out — like your inner nurturer, wise self, or creative self.

  • I’ll support you in developing new ways of relating to yourself that aren’t rooted in fear or pressure.

You don’t need to be hard on yourself to grow. In fact, the most lasting change often comes from kindness, not criticism.

P.S: This is one of the areas I feel most connected to in my work — and in my own healing. I've seen how understanding and softening the inner critic can create lasting, meaningful change. When we learn to shift our relationship with that voice, it opens the door to living with more self-trust, ease, and alignment with who we really are.

Let’s quiet the inner critic — and make more space for you.

You don’t have to keep pushing through the self-doubt or silencing parts of yourself to function. Therapy can offer a supportive space to understand where that inner voice comes from — and how to shift your relationship with it, gently and sustainably.

If you’re ready to feel more ease, self-trust, and clarity, I’d be honoured to support you.