Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The psychological literature suggests that therapist perfectionism is common and potentially detrimental to client recovery. Little is known about the relationship between therapist perfectionism and client outcomes.
AIMS:
This study aimed to measure perfectionism in High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural therapists, and establish any relationships between dimensions of therapist perfectionism, client outcomes and drop-out rates in treatment.
METHOD:
Thirty-six therapists took part in the study; levels of perfectionism were measured using a self-report questionnaire and these were analysed in relation to the clinical outcomes from a sample of their clients.
RESULTS:
The results indicated that therapist perfectionism may be less common than previously suggested. Overall, a number of significant negative associations were observed between aspects of therapist perfectionism (e.g. having high standards for others), treatment efficacy and client retention in treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Therapist perfectionism is associated with CBT treatment outcomes; tentative recommendations for therapists managing their own schema as part of their clinical practice have been made, although further investigation is required.
The psychological literature suggests that therapist perfectionism is common and potentially detrimental to client recovery. Little is known about the relationship between therapist perfectionism and client outcomes.
AIMS:
This study aimed to measure perfectionism in High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural therapists, and establish any relationships between dimensions of therapist perfectionism, client outcomes and drop-out rates in treatment.
METHOD:
Thirty-six therapists took part in the study; levels of perfectionism were measured using a self-report questionnaire and these were analysed in relation to the clinical outcomes from a sample of their clients.
RESULTS:
The results indicated that therapist perfectionism may be less common than previously suggested. Overall, a number of significant negative associations were observed between aspects of therapist perfectionism (e.g. having high standards for others), treatment efficacy and client retention in treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Therapist perfectionism is associated with CBT treatment outcomes; tentative recommendations for therapists managing their own schema as part of their clinical practice have been made, although further investigation is required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 225-237 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 27 Feb 2017 |
Bibliographical note
This article has been published in a revised form in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1352465817000054 . This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © copyright holder.Keywords
- CBT
- Outcomes
- Perfectionism
- Therapist schema