Dr. Tara Cousineau – 60

About me

Dr. Tara Cousineau is an author, clinical psychologist, meditation teacher, and perfectionism coach with over 20 years of experience helping high achievers unlock their potential with ease and confidence. Dr. Tara specializes in guiding individuals and organizations to cultivate inner worth, self-compassion, and authentic leadership. She’s also a part-time staff psychologist at Harvard University’s Counseling and Mental Health Services and brings expertise in mindfulness, mind-body medicine, and innovative psychological approaches.

Dr. Tara is the author of a new book “The Perfectionist’s Dilemma: Learn the Art of Self-Compassion and Become a Happy Achiever.” She’ll help listeners discover how to embrace self-compassion without compromising high standards, cultivate inner leadership, and transform perfectionism into a path toward greater ease, balance, and joy.

What do you do and why do you do it?

I’m a psychologist, author, and educator, and I specialize in helping high achievers overcome perfectionism and self-criticism so they can live with more confidence, compassion, and joy. I do this work because I’ve seen how many brilliant, capable people—especially women—suffer silently under the weight of unrealistic expectations.

My mission is to help people cultivate their inner worth, inner humanity, and inner leadership so they can lead and live from the inside out. This work is deeply personal and profoundly important to me. I want to change the cultural narrative that says we have to hustle for our worth or earn belonging through achievement. I believe we all have inherent value, and when we treat ourselves with compassion, we unlock the courage to live more meaningfully and connect more authentically. The difference I want to make is to help people quiet their inner critic, trust themselves, and show up in the world with ease and purpose.

What changed for you after age 50?

After 50, life shifted in beautiful and unexpected ways. My daughters grew up and left home to begin their own adult lives, which created space for me to nurture other parts of myself. I deepened my writing practice and went on to publish two books, something I had long dreamed of doing. I also began to honor my own voice more fully—not just as a psychologist, but as a creative, a thought leader, and a human being continuing to evolve. (There is a reason that is described in my book The EVOLVE Method!)

What would you tell the 20 or 30-year-old YOU?

You have all the gifts and inner resources you need to live a meaningful life. You don’t need to earn love or prove your worth. Learn to love all parts of yourself, even the ones that feel messy or unsure. You don’t need to have all the answers now. You are worthy of belonging just as you are, and you can make a positive difference in the world by being exactly who you are.

What do you think you’ll tell yourself in retrospect at the end of your life?

I hope I’ll be able to say: You did your best to be a good human. You shared kindness and positive energy, you laughed deeply, loved well, and lived a full, meaningful life. That was more than enough.

What impact do you think increased visibility can have on your business?

Increased visibility can help me reach more people who are yearning for change—not just in how they work, but in how they live. I want to support those who long to make a difference in the world but who doubt themselves. My work helps them build trust in themselves and learn to lead from within. Visibility expands the circle of impact both indirectly (writing, substack publication: The Peaceful Perfectionist) and directly (teaching, coaching, speaking, building community, etc.) allowing for people to lift each other up.

Who or what inspires you and why?

One of my earliest role models was my Aunt Juanita on my father’s side. I only met her a few times, but she made a lasting impression. She learned to fly a plane at age 60—an incredible feat in my eyes as a 10-year-old! She reminded me of Amelia Earhart. She also wrote a book about her life and the sweeping changes she witnessed during the first half of the 20th century, starting the volume with our family tree (long before ancestry.com). Her spirit of adventure, resilience, and deep respect for history was an inspiration. She made me believe it’s never too late to try something new or tell your story.

Something else I’d like to share

My latest book, The Perfectionist’s Dilemma, was inspired by my work with high achievers who often appear successful on the outside but are incredibly hard on themselves behind the scenes. Many of them are quietly struggling with impostor feelings, burnout, or a harsh inner critic that no one else sees. The book introduces the EVOLVE method, a 6-step approach to healing self-critical patterns and reconnecting with your core worth with self-compassion. My hope is that it becomes a gentle companion for anyone who’s ready to shift from self-sabotage to self-trust. (My first book is The Kindness Cure: How the Science of Compassion Can Heal Your Heart and Your World,