Dynamic-Relational Treatment of Pernicious Personality: Working with Perfectionism

This chapter provides an overview of a pernicious personality style, perfectionism, and describes a psychodynamic-interpersonally informed treatment for perfectionism known as dynamic-relational therapy (DRT). We describe the nature and our operationalization of perfectionism and provide a rationale for its treatment as a core vulnerability factor in developing and maintaining various forms of dysfunction and disorder. We also describe in detail the DRT treatment approach including goals and techniques for each of the phases of assessment and treatment. Finally, we present an overview of the empirical evidence for DRT as an effective and efficacious psychotherapeutic approach for perfectionism and attendant difficulties and disorders. We conclude this chapter with a brief discussion on the directions for future refinement, research, and development of DRT for perfectionism.