The High-Achiever's Trap: How Perfectionism Fuels Anxiety
Perfectionism isn't a character strength — it's a vulnerability. Here's the psychology behind it.
Accepting new clients
Michael Cheung
MPsych(Clinical), MAPS
Clinical Psychologist
Working with anxiety, perfectionism and the pressures of high-performance life.
About Michael
Michael Cheung is a Clinical Psychologist with nine years of experience supporting high-achieving individuals, professionals and students navigating anxiety, perfectionism, burnout and performance pressures.
He has a particular interest in the psychology of performance — helping clients break free from unhelpful patterns around achievement, failure and self-worth, and develop a healthier relationship with success.
Michael is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, and brings a culturally informed perspective to his work with clients from East and South-East Asian backgrounds.
His therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing primarily on CBT, ACT, and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), always grounded in the latest evidence and tailored to each individual's goals.
Areas of Focus
Anxiety & PanicBurnoutSelf-EsteemStressAnxietyPerfectionismPerformance PsychologyACTCompassion-Focused TherapyStudent WellbeingCultural Identity
Therapeutic Approaches
Performance Psych
Anxiety and perfectionism in high-achievers
ACT
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
CFT
Compassion-Focused Therapy for self-criticism
CBT
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy — evidence-based core
Assessments & Interventions
Funding & Referrals
A Mental Health Care Plan from your GP may be required for some schemes. Talk to us about your options.
Qualifications & Training
Master of Psychology (Clinical)
University of New South Wales
2015
Bachelor of Psychology (Hons)
University of New South Wales
2012
Insights
From Michael's desk
Burnout vs Stress: How to Tell the Difference
They feel similar, but burnout and stress have different causes — and different solutions.
Compassion-Focused Therapy for Self-Criticism
We are often our own harshest critic. CFT offers a kinder — and more effective — path forward.