title: Are Perfectionist Therapists Perfect? The Relationship between Therapist Perfectionism and Client Outcomes in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham,Edgbaston,Birmingham B15 2TT,UK.
authors.forename: Vickie L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Presley
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham,Edgbaston,Birmingham B15 2TT,UK.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham,Edgbaston,Birmingham B15 2TT,UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000072639:Perfectionism; D011584:Psychology / Q000592:standards*; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: CBT; outcomes; perfectionism; therapist schema