On Demand OCD & Anxiety Lecture Series: The Do's and Don'ts of Working with Perfectionists

This presentation was originally reviewed on April 18, 2024, and in person and live streamed online on April 19, 2024, from 1:45 pm – 3:15 pm ET. 

The views and opinions expressed by this presenter in this lecture are their own, and do not represent the views of Sheppard Pratt.

“Clinical perfectionism” can occur in the context of many different disorders or even on its own. Because much of a client’s perfectionism can be ego-syntonic, clinicians need to take the time to help clients develop their own assessment of strengths and weaknesses, rather than feeling the clinician is trying to take away their best attribute. In addition, to an individualized assessment, clinicians will be taught several alternatives to provide clients to challenge unhealthy perfectionistic behaviors including: differentiating between intention and strategy, using diminishing returns, changing one’s response to mistake making, strategies for prioritizing, learning when and how to use others for help, and the importance of taking time to recharge.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, counselors and other mental health professionals. 

Learning Objectives

After this lecture, registrants will be able to:

  1. Define clinical perfectionism in at least two different ways.
  2. Identify two ways in which perfectionism “seduces” a client into using old, ineffective behaviors.
  3. Describe two new interventions they can use to encourage more effective behavior in individuals with unhealthy perfectionism.

 

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.50 ACEP NBCC clock hours
  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.50 Category II credits for Social Workers
  • 1.50 Psychologists
  • 1.50 MNA Contact Hours for Nurses
  • 1.50 Participation
Course opens: 
06/25/2024
Course expires: 
06/23/2026

There is no commercial support for this activity.

About the speaker

Jeff Szymanski, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of “Getting to the Next Level Consulting”, a firm specializing in clinical consultation and professional development for mental health professionals at all levels. With more than 25 years as a leader in mental health, Dr. Szymanski is a senior clinician, consultant, trainer, and administrator. He previously served as the Executive Director of the International OCD Foundation for 15 years following his role as the Director of Psychological Services at the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital. Currently, Dr. Szymanski is a Clinical Instructor in Psychology (part-time) at Harvard Medical School, where he supervises pre-doctoral psychology interns through McLean Hospital’s internship program. He is the author of “The Perfectionist’s Handbook”, and he has appeared in over 150 media stories, presented at a multitude of conferences, as well as delivering several domestic and international trainings.

Disclosure Statements

Sheppard Pratt holds the standard that its continuing medical education programs should be free of commercial bias and conflict of interest. In accord with Sheppard Pratt's Disclosure Policy, as well as standards of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Medical Association (AMA), all planners, reviewers, speakers and persons in control of content have been asked to disclose any relationship he /she has with any entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, during the past 24 months. All planners, reviewers and speakers have also been asked to disclose any payments accepted for this lecture from any entity besides Sheppard Pratt, and if there will be discussion of any products, services, or off-label uses of product(s) during this presentation.

Jeff Szymanski, PhD, reports that he is the owner of Getting to the Next Level Counselling, LLC. He will not discuss any products, services, or off-label uses in this presentation. All relationships have been mitigated through review. 

Event Planners/Reviewers Disclosures: The following event planners and/or reviewers are reported as having no financial interest, arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, during the past 24 months: Jon Hershfield, MFT,  Todd Peters, MD, Elizabeth Ryznar, MD, MSc, Louis J. Marino, Devi Bhuyan, PsyD, Faith Dickerson, PhD, Carrie Etheridge, LCSW-C, April Sobiech, LCSW-C, Latia Suite, LCSW-C, Rachel Smolowitz, PhD, Tom Flis, LCPC, Stacey Garnett, RN, MSN, Stephanie M. Robinson, MSN, RN, Lisa E. Seldon, DNP, MSA, RN, NEA-BC, Lisa Illum, MLIS, MEd, and Jennifer Tornabene.

Physician Statement: Sheppard Pratt is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.  Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.  Sheppard Pratt designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse Statement: Sheppard Pratt is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Maryland Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity. This activity provides 1.5 contact hours for nurses.

Psychologist Statement: Sheppard Pratt is authorized by the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists as a sponsor of continuing education. Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CE activity.  Sheppard Pratt designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 contact hours for Psychologists.

Social Worker Statement: Sheppard Pratt is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners of Maryland to offer continuing education for Social Workers.  Sheppard Pratt takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CE activity. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours in Category II credits for Social Workers.

Counselor Statement:  Sheppard Pratt has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5098.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Sheppard Pratt is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.  This activity is available for 1.5 NBCC clock hours.

Available Credit

  • 1.50 ACEP NBCC clock hours
  • 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.50 Category II credits for Social Workers
  • 1.50 Psychologists
  • 1.50 MNA Contact Hours for Nurses
  • 1.50 Participation
Please login or register to take this course.

ON DEMAND WEBINAR: FOR BEST RESULTS WATCH USING GOOGLE CHROME

OCD & Anxiety Lecture Series: The Do's and Don'ts of Working with Perfectionists

Jeff Szymanski, PhD

Founder and CEO, Getting to the Next Level Consulting, LLC

Clinical Instructor, Part-time, Harvard Medical School

Clinical Associate, McLean Hospital

Norwood, MA

Originally reviewed April 18, 2024.
Originally virtually broadcast on April 19, 2024, from 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM ET.
Enduring Activity Credit Expiration Date: June 23, 2026.

Activity Time: Ninety-minute webinar lecture with a 15-minute evaluation process. Total Time: 1:45.

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After downloading the handout, select NEXT to begin and watch the video. 
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After the video follow the prompts to complete the posttest, evaluation, and attestation of credit. 
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There is no commercial support for this activity.

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