Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Perfectionism

This practical resource provides an evidence-based framework for treating clients struggling with perfectionism, whether as the main presenting problem or in conjunction with depression, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Using a case formulation approach, the authors draw on their extensive cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) experience to present specific techniques and interventions. Coverage spans treatment planning, the therapeutic alliance, key obstacles that may arise, relapse prevention, and emerging research. Reproducible assessment scales and 36 patient handouts are included; purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Sarah J. Egan, PhD, is Director of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology at Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia. Her primary research interest is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for clinical perfectionism; she also publishes in the areas of obsessive-compulsive disorder and eating disorders. The recipient of awards for her teaching and high-impact publications, Dr. Egan serves on the editorial board of Stress and Health and is chair of the organizing committee of the World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. She has presented numerous workshops and papers on CBT for clinical perfectionism and has more than 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Tracey D. Wade, PhD, is Professor and Dean of the School of Psychology at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia. She has worked as a clinician in the area of eating disorders for over 20 years. Her research interests are in the etiology, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders. Dr. Wade is the Editor of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) journal Clinical Psychologist and is a member of the Steering Committee of the National Eating Disorder Collaboration in Australia. She is a recipient of the Ian M. Campbell Memorial Prize and of the Early Career Award, both from the APS, and has published more than 120 peer-reviewed scientific articles.

Roz Shafran, PhD, is Professor at the Institute of Child Health, University College London, United Kingdom, where she is also Chair in Translational Psychology. She is the founder and former director of the Charlie Waller Institute of Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment, associate editor of Behaviour Research and Therapy, and scientific co-chair of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. Dr. Shafran's clinical research interests include cognitive-behavioral theories of and treatments for eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and perfectionism across the age range. She is a recipient of the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Professional Psychology from the British Psychological Society and the Marsh Award for Mental Health Work. With more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Shafran is coauthor (with Sarah Egan and Tracey D. Wade) of the self-help guide Overcoming Perfectionism.

Martin M. Antony, PhD, ABPP, is Professor in the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he was founding Graduate Program Director for the MA and PhD programs in Psychology. He is also Director of Research at the Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Dr. Antony has received career awards from the Society of Clinical Psychology (Division 12 of the American Psychological Association), the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. He is a Fellow of the American and Canadian Psychological Associations and past president of the CPA. He has published 200 scientific articles and book chapters and numerous books, including Handbook of Assessment and Treatment Planning for Psychological Disorders, Second Edition, and The Anti-Anxiety Workbook.

1. Nature and Causes of Perfectionism
2. Research on the Treatment of Perfectionism
3. Perfectionism across Psychopathology
4. Perfectionism as a Transdiagnostic Process
5. Assessment of Perfectionism
6. Treatment Planning, Homework, and Supervision
7. The Cognitive-Behavioral Model of Perfectionism and Collaborative Formulation
8. The Therapeutic Alliance and Engagement
9. Self-Monitoring, Psychoeducation, and Surveys
10. Thinking Errors
11. Cognitive Strategies
12. Behavioral Experiments
13. Self-Evaluation and Self-Criticism
14. Procrastination and Time Management
15. Relapse Prevention
16. Emerging Approaches in Treatment of Perfectionism
Appendix 1. Resources
Appendix 2. Handouts
Appendix 3. Self-Report Measures
References
Index