Dr. Jen Douglas on Perfectionism, Parenthood & Breaking Intergenerational Patterns

Pure Curiosity with Iris McAlpin

In this episode I speak with Dr. Jen Douglas, a licensed psychologist, Stanford professor and mom about all things perfectionism. We talk about how it shows up (in sometimes sneaky ways) across multiple dimensions, including body image, parenting and productivity. Perfectionism also has an intergenerational component to it, and Dr. Jen offers some tangible insight into how we can shift these patterns within our families and raise children who aren't burdened by the weight of perfectionism. We also discuss the importance of pleasure, play and humor in healing, and how learning to laugh at ourselves can help us manage the inevitable messiness of life. Dr. Jen is a delight, and I hope you will enjoy this perfectly imperfect episode!

About Our Guest:

Jen Douglas, PhD is a licensed psychologist, Stanford clinical assistant professor, executive coach, consultant, partner and mother. Dr. Jen specializes in helping high-achieving individuals overcome their own perfectionism to reach their fullest potential, both in their professional worlds and in their personal relationships. Dr. Jen turns her unique approach to mental health towards women and non-binary individuals at the intersection of identity, professional goals, and parenting. In her academic role, Dr. Jen trains graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and medical residents in empirically-based mental health treatment, and has published in international peer-reviewed psychology journals. Dr. Jen’s clinical interests span the intersection of high-functioning anxiety, emotional regulation, and societal influences on mental health.

As a mission-driven mental health expert intent on improving access to education about life-changing psychological tools, Dr. Jen facilitates anti-burnout workshops and provides speaking engagements for such companies as Facebook Inc. and Vox Media. The center of Dr. Jen’s passion is marrying academic psychological theory with real-life societal pressures and intersectional identities. It is harder to overcome perfectionism, anxiety, and imposter syndrome when these patterns are rooted in societal expectations and pressures. Dr. Jen brings a holistic approach to overcoming these issues from an empowerment lens.

Dr. Jen’s more than 13 years in the mental health field and academic medicine have given her the tools to help others find that sweet spot in the fusion of self-acceptance, humility, and stepping into power by showing up as our true selves.

Dr. Jen and her work have been featured across news outlets including Newsweek, NBC News, Glamour, and NPR. She currently lives in the Bay Area with her family, who humor her feeble attempts at being a “cool mom.”

Learn more about Dr. Jen's Online Course.

Follow Dr. Jen on Instagram.