373 | Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Fear of Vulnerability

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy · Feb 12, 2026 · 10m

In this episode, I respond to a question about a nine-year-old who presents as mature, responsible, and "put together," yet shows strong perfectionistic and people-pleasing tendencies in session. I unpack what is often happening beneath that polished exterior — faking good, fear of judgment, low self-esteem, and a deep resistance to vulnerability. When a child thrives in collaborative activities but withdraws during independent play, that often signals discomfort with ownership, mistakes, and being fully seen.

I also address what it means when a child consistently rejects reflected feelings…