Treating clinical perfectionism

Generally in society perfectionism is thought to be a positive characteristic, involving striving to achieve high standards without experiencing negative consequences. However clinicians are aware that aspects of perfectionism can be associated with negative consequences, leading to a range of problems like anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

This workshop will focus on a model of “clinical perfectionism” which describes people who set extremely high standards for performance, are very concerned over making mistakes, and base self-evaluation on how well these standards are met.

This practical workshop will provide information on assessment and collaborative case formulation and therapeutic pitfalls to avoid with this population, as well as presenting a range of specific cognitive behavioural techniques that can be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan. This treatment is evidence-based and has been found to not only reduce perfectionism, but also reduce a range of psychopathology despite the symptoms not being targeted directly in treatment. As such, the approach outlined is appropriate for many clients seen in clinical practice who have elevated perfectionism and a range of different disorders.

This workshop is appropriate for clinicians from a range of professions, and will be useful for the beginning level clinician and those enrolled in graduate training programs, through to clinicians with many years of experience who may struggle with a lack of available guidance in the treatment literature about how to approach the numerous clients they see where perfectionism is a large part of the presenting problem.