Gain without pain: Practical CBT skills for perfectionism
Traditional Workshop 23 - Gain Without Pain: Practical CBT Skills for Perfectionism
Sunday, June 28, 2026
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM PDT
Location: Pacific H, 4th Floor
Earn 3 Credit
Keywords: CBT, Clinical Decision Making, Transdiagnostic Level of Familiarity: Moderate Recommended Readings: Egan, S.J., Shafran, R., & Wade, T.D. (2022). A clinician's quick guide to evidence-based approaches: perfectionism. Clinical Psychologist, 26(3), 351-353. , Wade, T. D., Shafran, R., & Cooper, Z. (2024). Developing a protocol to address co-occurring mental health conditions in the treatment of eating disorders. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 57(6), 1291-1299. , Shafran R, Egan SJ, Wade TD. (2023). Coming of age: A reflection on the first 21 years of cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 161, 104258. , ,
Perfectionism is a transdiagnostic process linked to a range of mental health difficulties, including anxiety, depression, OCD, and eating disorders. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Perfectionism (CBT-P) is a brief, evidence-based intervention designed to target the processes that maintain perfectionism. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrate that CBT-P, delivered in diverse formats, not only reduces perfectionism but also improves anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. This workshop focuses on practical CBT-P skills that can be readily integrated into everyday clinical practice, including engaging clients who perceive perfectionism as beneficial. The workshop begins with an overview of the cognitive-behavioural model of perfectionism and the latest empirical evidence supporting CBT-P. Participants will learn how to assess perfectionism, collaboratively develop shared formulations, and implement core techniques, including perfectionism-specific psychoeducation, behavioural experiments, and interventions to address self-criticism and broaden self-evaluation. Special attention will be given to treating perfectionism in the context of comorbid mental health conditions, with guidance on when to prioritise perfectionism in treatment. The workshop concludes with strategies to minimize the impact of therapist perfectionism. Attendees will leave equipped with a practical framework and evidence-based tools to address perfectionism across clinical presentations.
Outline: I. Context a. Cognitive-behavioral analysis b. Empirical support c. Treatment principles II. Engagement, Assessment and Formulation a. Optimizing engagement b. Session-by-session measurement c. Building a case formulation III. Treatment strategies with a focus on:- a. Psychoeducation b. Problematic Behavior c. Rules vs. guidelines d. Self-criticism and self-evaluation IV. Key clinical issues a. Addressing comorbidity b. Clinician perfectionism c. Application to different populations
Learning Objectives:
Explain the cognitive-behavioural model of perfectionism and its evidence base.
Effectively engage, assess, formulate and treat perfectionism.
Enhance competence in managing perfectionism in the context of co-occurring disorders.
