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Are Perfectionist Therapists Perfect? The Relationship between Therapist Perfectionism and Client Outcomes in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2017

Vickie L. Presley ,
Christopher A. Jones  and
Elizabeth K. Newton
Vickie L. Presley*
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Christopher A. Jones
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Elizabeth K. Newton
Affiliation:
University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
*
Correspondence to: Vickie Presley, School of Psychological, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB. Email: [email protected]
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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.

Keywords

CBTperfectionismtherapist schemaoutcomes
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 45 , Issue 3 , May 2017 , pp. 225 - 237
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2017 

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