The Psychology of Perfectionism: The struggle to be good enough with Dr. Paul Hewitt Part 2

Psychotherapy and Applied Psychology: Conversations with research experts about mental health and psychotherapy for those interested in research, practice, and training

Join Dan and returning guest, Dr. Paul Hewitt, and continue deeper into the psychology of perfectionism.
Dr. Paul Hewitt is a registered clinical psychologist and a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. He has published over 300 research papers, books, and chapters on perfectionism, psychopathology, and psychotherapy, was cited as one of the top 10 Canadian clinical psychology professors for research productivity, and was recently awarded the Donald O. Hebb Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Science by the Canadian Psychological Association.
In part 2, Dan and Dr. Hewitt explore the complexities of perfectionism in therapy, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and the therapeutic alliance. They discuss how perfectionism often stems from unmet relational needs and the emotional pain associated with it. Then, Dr. Hewitt elaborates on the effectiveness of group therapy for perfectionistic individuals and critiques the limitations of cognitive behavioural therapy in addressing deeper relational issues. They finish by discussing the emerging research on perfectionism in children and the need for a more nuanced understanding of psychological constructs beyond traditional DSM categories.
Special guest: Dr. Paul Hewitt
(free) Tools to assess perfectionism
Books on Perfectionism
- Perfectionism in Childhood and Adolescence: A Developmental Approach
- Perfectionism: A Relational Approach to Conceptualization, Assessment, and Treatment
Other resources
- Clients Struggling With Perfectionism
- Group Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Psychotherapy

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1. The Psychology of Perfectionism: The struggle to be good enough with Dr. Paul Hewitt Part 2 (00:00:00)

2. Defining Perfectionism and Vulnerability in Therapy (00:01:25)

3. Creating a Therapeutic Alliance for Perfectionist Clients (00:03:50)

4. Exploring Psychodynamic Approaches vs. CBT for Perfectionism (00:06:15)

5. Addressing Relational Needs in Perfectionistic Clients (00:10:30)

6. Understanding Early Life Patterns and Their Effects on Perfectionism (00:14:10)

7. Benefits of Group Therapy for Perfectionism (00:20:50)

8. Experiential Learning and Therapy’s Role in Behavior Change (00:27:30)

9. Other-Oriented Perfectionism: Clinical Considerations (00:32:10)

10. Critiques of CBT for Perfectionism (00:36:20)

11. Examining Relational Needs as Drivers of Perfectionism (00:41:30)

12. The Limits of DSM Diagnoses in Addressing Perfectionism (00:51:00)