Online Mindfulness & Therapy for High-Achieving Introverts
If you’ve always been ‘the smart one’ - but never quite fit in…
I’ve got you.
Is this you?
Going through the motions, a bit like Groundhog Day. Work, chores, some sort of social life. Nothing’s really wrong, but it doesn’t feel right either. It doesn’t feel like you.
You overthink, overplan, sometimes procrastinate. It’s making you feel overwhelmed, anxious, and all-round bloody exhausted. The high-achiever’s plight, right?
Even though your life looks good from the outside, inside you feel inadequate, so you do your damn best to prove yourself. To fit in. Or… you don’t go for things because you might fail and be ‘found out’. You silence, censor, and limit yourself, so you don’t rock the boat.
Maybe you’re not even sure what actually makes you happy (maybe you’ve even googled ‘I need help with life’) - but you’re starting to be more and more sure it’s not this. And that, in itself, is damn scary.
Because if it isn’t this, this life that, as a high-achiever, you’ve been working so hard for, then what is it? Have you wasted time? Is it too late? Do you have to fake it? What if you take a risk and it doesn’t work out?
The reason I know all this is because you are absolutely not the only one who’s nodding along. Most of all, it doesn’t have to be like this!
There is a world in which you know what really matters to you, and go for it, in the big ways, and the very small, mundane ways too. Where you really know what you think and how you feel, and it doesn’t mess you about. Because you know who you are, and you know you’re enough. That’s what I can guide you towards, if you’ll have me - through mindfulness and therapy, which is what helped me too!
Hi, I’m Carina (she/her) - senior BABCP-accredited CBT therapist, mindfulness teacher, and imperfect human
Also, fellow high-achieving introvert
Don't worry, this is not a blind-leading-the-blind situation - I've got the education and experience, and I've been through it myself too.
I've always been the quiet kid who was good at school. Did the whole good grades, good uni, good jobs thing, but my self-doubt and fear of failure held me back. I was lucky to end up in a class of misfits in high school - that's when it started to dawn on me that it was ok to not be the life of the party, but I still struggled with not quite fitting in.
Mindfulness meditation and therapy turned things around for me. I learned to own who I am, flaws and all, and that doing so not only doesn’t keep you from getting where you want to be, but it helps you get there authentically.
Which, dear high-achieving introvert, I’d love to guide you through as well - and see you flourish, like I’ve seen many others!
“Followed Carina's MBSR course as a therapist, wondering what I would take out of it as someone who already used quite a bit of mindfulness in her sessions with clients because of an Acceptance and Commitment-background.
Honestly, she held up a mirror teaching me so much about my own judgements towards myself, the never-ending stream of thoughts, and the way I can lose myself in those "I have to..."-thoughts.
She had space for us to show up just as we are, recognizing ourselves and sitting with that recognition without judgement.
And really, during the last session I noticed, I saw, I felt and never for a moment judgement. That was a magical moment. Thank you, Carina.”
Don’t just take my word for it…
“I attended Carina's mindfulness course in an online small group setting, which was perfect for sharing meaningfully. Carina held space beautifully for us - she has such a gentle energy and was incredibly skilled at meeting each of us exactly where we were. The intimate group size gave us the privilege of deepening our practice with personalised guidance and thoughtful questions that really helped expand the experience.
I highly recommend Carina's work for anyone new and curious about mindfulness or wanting to explore further. Even though I wasn't new to the practice, I came away from each session with fresh ideas, feeling more connected and in touch with self energy. The mix of guided practice, integration and exploration of concepts really flowed well. The half day retreat was a really powerful experience, and so eye opening as to how disconnected/ reliant we/I can be on phones, distraction and external noise.”
High-achieving introvert, meet a more authentic life where you can be you
Therapy for High-Achieving Introverts
Let’s work with the overwhelm, anxiety, and lack of fulfillment that show up daily - but also with the deeper stuff - the expectations, the fear of failure or vulnerability, the fear of being found out. Of being yourself, and it not being good enough.
Not in a… ‘how does that make you feel? way, or in a way that says there's something wrong with you that needs fixing. Quite the opposite - in a way that honours your experiences, your unique mind, and your body, so that the authentic you comes out and dances (or whatever way it wants to express itself).
And with that, a bit less noise. A bit more peace. A lot more ability to to handle whatever life throws at you, and keep going towards what your life is meant to actually be like, according to you and you only.
More concretely: Evidence-based, skills-based therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy / Cognitive Behavioural Therapy / Mindfulness) - where we spend time both exploring things AND using active interventions to move you forward.
Go for the weekly option, or the more concentrated, accelerated option of intensives.
All of what I offer is grounded in a neurodivergent-affirming, LGBTQIA+ inclusive, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive approach.
I really care about you showing up as your full self, without worrying about me judging you or invalidating your experiences.
I’m always learning and reflecting, and what matters to me most of all is to honour you, exactly as you are.
So, if you’re a high-achieving introvert who also happens to be neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, or has otherwise felt marginalised, our work together will be adapted to honour this.
I also specifically offer Neuro-Affirmative and LGBTQIA+-Affirming Therapy if you want to focus on how operating in a neurotypical/cishet world has affected you, and how to move forward in a way that honours and celebrates YOU.
(this is not different therapy as such, just a different focus depending on your goals - as therapy is always tailored to you as a person!)
Just so you’re not confused, I also, completely separately, offer:
Dog Phobia Treatment
I’m a CBT therapist (trained in exposure therapy), which happens to be the gold-standard evidence-based treatment for phobias. I’m also passionate about dog body language and behaviour, having gone through a journey of understanding my sweet and loving but reactive dog, and having close family members with dog phobia.
So, I’m about as specialist as can be when it comes to helping you overcome your fear in a gentle, practical and realistic way - so you can stop avoiding the park or your friend who has a dog and living fully even if there are dogs around (even if you don’t end up a dog lover!)
CBT Clinical Supervision
If you're looking for a clinical supervisor who’s experienced and knows her stuff, but is first of all human, I might be your person.
I’m accredited by the BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) as a CBT Clinical Supervisor, I supervise on one of London’s biggest and most reputable CBT courses and also in my other job as Senior CBT Therapist in the NHS. I also don’t take myself too seriously.
Bespoke Workshops for Organisations
Not another wellbeing initiative - but actually useful, engaging, practical custom workshops that blend (neuro)science, mindfulness, and silly humour that keep people not just awake, but maybe a little intrigued.
From someone who’s not just a therapist and mindfulness teacher, but has also worked in a start-up and moved to California for 3 months to be in a super reputable start-up accelerator, and worked in under-funded and over-pressured national mental health services for years.
Book an Appointment
Book a free consultation to see if we click if you’re not sure, or, when you’re ready, straight into a session.
If you feel more comfortable reaching out in writing first, or you can’t find availability for your desired service / it’s not listed at all, please do contact me as I may be able to work things around.