Therapy with Perfectionistic People: When Being Good Is Not Enough

Almost all clinicians have worked with people who have extremely high standards and cannot tolerate failure or even success. These perfectionistic people may feel slightly content when some goals are met, but overall, they are chronically dissatisfied regarding their performance in their career, social, or personal lives. These people may also be hypercritical if others are not meeting their expectations. What can be most difficult as a therapist is when a person with excessively high standards and perfectionism believes that we are not good enough. They may prematurely leave therapy, withdraw, or become extremely angry.

It is not surprising that perfectionism can lead to numerous disorders, as research illustrates. There is substantial literature on the association between perfectionism and mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, eating issues, and personality disorders. It appears perfectionism is very prevalent in clinical populations and extremely difficult to treat. Very few books or resources really focus on perfectionism in clinical settings. This web conference will address the question: What is the best way to work with perfectionistic people?

This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:

1. Define and assess adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism (self, social, and other) and how it can lead to other health issues;
2. Integrate six approaches from psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, and mindfulness techniques to intervene with client perfectionism;
3. Identify and manage overt and covert conflict with perfectionists to build the therapeutic alliance;
4. Discuss when and how to give feedback to perfectionists that is most therapeutic.

If you have any questions or concerns about this web conference or would like more information, please contact us here.

Event Reviews from Members

I really enjoyed the way Michael "reached for more" when answering questions. He really had an amazing caring for encouraging participation. Also the differentiation of types of perfectionists. I hadn't really thought about these and "labeled" situations quite that way. It was very helpful. - Risa Giordano, LCSW

Dr. B did a great job pulling out the most important concepts and sharing those with us. Then he integrated them flawlessly as he continued through this workshop. - Juliana Petre, MA, LMHCA

Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org, provider #1352, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB Approval Period: March 30, 2016 through March 30, 2019. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social workers participating in this course will receive two clinical continuing education clock hours.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium or Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no cost. Not yet a Premium or Pro Member? Mental health professionals can attend this live web conference for $29.95 or access the homestudy recording for $14.95.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

• Register NowPlease Login to Member's Area
• Not a Member?Click here for information on membership