Perfectionism, Eating Disorders and Burnout Culture
Perfectionism is a trait that, like thinness, is praised in dominant American culture, and like thinness, it is a trait that most of us do not have a lot of control over. We are either perfectionists or we are not. The idea that we don't have a lot of control, though, bugs us culturally speaking. So, those of us who are perfectionists feel like we are always one wrong move from falling behind, and those of us who are not feel like we have failed before we even start. Add to this that most white-collar professionals, including therapists and medical professionals, are perfectionists, and you ha...Read moreve a big uncomfortable blind spot that many clients and clinicians are being harmed by without even knowing it. Worse yet, in what the philosopher Byung-Chul Han calls "The Burnout Society," perfectionists are encouraged to continually compare their lives as they are and their internal world as it feels to whatever it is that they think they want or are supposed to have. If that comparison doesn't come out favorably, our inner taskmaster will engage in self-flagellation until moral improves.
In this training we will learn about what perfectionism is. How it shows up in clinicians and other professionals, how it is encouraged by our society's larger myths, and what to do about it. Along the way we will learn about The Burnout Society, how we are all trapped in it, and how it is one of the largest external factors in our client's recovery journeys. Finally we will wrap up with strategies that are supportive of increased day to day well being and reduced judgement.
This presentation is based in DBT therapeutic practice and current and evolving philosophies. It challenges current assumptions about the purpose of life and is designed to get you thinking and acting differently. Less...
Learning Objectives
- Define perfectionism and know common ways in which it manifest in clients and clinicians in a healthcare setting.
- Define the Achievement Society and how that paradigm supports the growth of depression, anxiety, and compulsive disorders.
- Identify at least three actionable strategies to reduce burnout for themselves and their clients.
Target Audience
Learning Levels
- Intermediate
Thursday, September 10, 2026
11:00 AM CDT - 12:00 PM CDT
Click Here to Register
About the speaker
Penny Gautreaux, MSW, LICSW
CE Information - Earn 1 CE Credit Hour
CE Approvals
American Psychological Association
National Board for Certified Counselors
CE Process Info
Each professional is responsible for the individual requirements as stipulated by their licensing agency. Please contact your individual licensing board/regulatory agency to review continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Please note: You must attend "live" (in real-time) to earn CE credits. No partial credits.
Before the event, you will receive an email from CE-Go with access to the virtual event. After the event, you will receive access to your evaluation and continuing education certificate via a personalized "attendee dashboard" link, hosted on the CE-Go website. This link and access to the virtual event will be sent to the email account you used to register for the event.
Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:
- Complete evaluation forms for the event
- Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CE-Go platform, please contact CE-Go at 888-498-5578 or by email at support@ce-go.com Please Note: Emails for this event will come from "support@ce-go.com".
If you have any continuing education related questions, please contact outreach@emilyprogram.com.
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