"Auditions, Anxiety, and the Myth of Flawless Playing" - An Interview with Clinical Psychologist, Ellen Hendriksen

Perfectionism can sharpen your playing or steal your joy. The Cello Sherpa Podcast Host, Joel Dallow, sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen to unpack where that line lives for working musicians and how to keep your standards high without letting self-worth rise and fall with every take. Ellen breaks down seven core patterns behind perfectionism—over-evaluation, self-criticism, rigid rules, mistake avoidance, procrastination, social comparison, and perfectionistic self-presentation—and shows how they quietly fuel audition anxiety, practice paralysis, and post-concert spirals.Together, we reframe procrastination as an emotion management habit rather than a calendar problem, then trade approval-seeking for intention-setting you can control. Ellen offers practical ways to normalize a non-zero failure rate in auditions, interpret criticism without outsourcing your identity, and use both acceptance tools and cognitive restructuring to soften the inner critic. You’ll learn how to treat harsh thoughts like background noise, play with them to drain their power, and coach yourself with firm, kind language that actually leads to better performances.We also explore the “perfectionistic climate” many musicians train in, the difference between healthy and maladaptive perfectionism, and small daily choices that reduce shoulds and increase motivation. If you’ve ever walked offstage to applause while frowning inside, this conversation gives you a path back to meaning, agency, and sustainable growth. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs it, and leave a quick review—what intention will you set for your next performance?For more information on Ellen Hendriksen: https://www.ellenhendriksen.com/aboutIf you are looking for in person/virtual cello lessons, or orchestral repertoire audition coachings, check out www.theCelloSherpa.comFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & YouTube: @theCelloSherpaFor more information on our sponsor: www.CLEAResources.com