The Perfectionist Therapist: How do therapists experience and navigate their own Perfectionism in therapeutic practice?
Research Invitation
I would like to invite you to participate in this research which will inform my MSc postgraduate research project at Staffordshire University. The research will be conducted by Joanne Chhachhia, a practicing therapist completing their MSc research in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what your participation will involve.
What is the purpose of the study?
I am conducting a study looking at how therapists experience and navigate their own Perfectionism in therapeutic practice.
Definition of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is a multifaceted personality trait defined by Stoeber, 2018 as a 鈥渟triving for flawlessness and setting exceedingly high standards of performance accompanied by overly critical evaluations of one鈥檚 behavior鈥� (Stoeber, 2018, p.3).
This research aims to explore how therapists who self- identify as having perfectionist tendencies, experience practice related perfectionism inside and outside of the therapy room. The research aims to explore any impacts to the therapist, any perceived positive or negative impacts (from the therapist鈥檚 perspective) and ways in which therapists navigate their perfectionism in the therapeutic context.
Research contribution
The research may help us to better understand patterns of perfectionism that exist for therapists in practice, raise awareness of unique challenges and offer support and normalisation around these experiences. Therapists own insights of how they navigate perfectionism in practice has great potential to translate into navigational tools to support perfectionistic therapists in the field.
Thank you for taking time to read this advert.
Research interviews will take place in March and April 2025 on Microsoft teams and last approximately one hour.
If you are interested in taking part in this research, or would like further information, please contact the researcher via email to express your interest.
Researcher: Joanne Chhachhia