Overcoming Perfectionism: CBT Tools for Mastering the Art of Self-Acceptance
Break Free from the Trap of Unrealistic Standards: What may look like high standards often hides a much deeper struggle: constant self-criticism, anxiety, fear of failure, and emotional burnout. Left unaddressed, perfectionism drives procrastination, depression, relationship conflict, and shame. In this free 2-hour CE webinar, renowned psychiatrist David Burns, M.D., and Feeling Good Institute’s Director of Training Jill Levitt, Ph.D., will teach powerful CBT techniques that can help your clients—and yourself—transform perfectionism into self-acceptance and emotional freedom. You’ll also witness the healing journey of a psychiatrist who believed she was a fraud and a failure. Through real therapy video excerpts, you’ll experience her shift from relentless inner criticism to profound self-compassion, restful sleep, creativity, and joy.
David D. Burns, MD
Jill Levitt, PhD
During this session, you will:
Identify the Roots of Perfectionism: Pinpoint common self-defeating beliefs that drive perfectionism—like "My worth depends on my achievements" or "I’m a failure because I’ve made too many mistakes.”
Melt Resistance to Change: Use Positive Reframing to explore the hidden advantages of perfectionism and shift from judgment to compassion—building motivation for real change.
Learn Tools You Can Use With Yourself & Your Patients: Learn Cost-Benefit Analysis, Externalization of Voices, Feared Fantasy, Acceptance Paradox, Self-Disclosure, and more.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, you will be able to:
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Identify two self-defeating beliefs frequently seen in perfectionistic individuals
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Describe two cognitive distortions that trigger perfectionism
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Name two techniques you can use in the treatment of perfectionism
Webinar Details:
Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT
CE Credit: Earn 2 Free Continuing Education Units (CEs)
Cost: Free
Open to: General public and mental health professionals
Instructor Bio:
David Burns, MD, is an Adjunct Clinical Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He is an award-winning researcher and teacher, the bestselling author of self-help books, including Feeling Good, with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide, and the host of the Feeling Good podcast, which has received over 9 million downloads.
Dr. Burns was a pioneer in the development of cognitive therapy, and is the creator of TEAM-CBT, which makes rapid recovery from depression and anxiety possible. His Feeling Great app triggers 60% to 70% reductions in feelings of depression and anxiety in less than one day.
Dr. Burns graduated magna cum laude from Amherst College, earned his MD from Stanford, and completed his psychiatry residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He later served as Acting Chief of Psychiatry at Penn and as a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School.
Jill Levitt, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Training at the Feeling Good Institute in Mountain View, CA. Dr. Levitt has almost 20 years of experience conducting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has been trained by some of the world’s leaders in CBT.
Dr. Jill Levitt has co-written several scholarly articles in the areas of OCD, PTSD and Panic Disorder. Most recently she has been co-teaching CBT with Dr. David Burns at the Stanford University School of Medicine in her role on the Adjunct Clinical Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She also trains other therapists in David Burns’ model of CBT called TEAM-CBT Therapy.
Dr. Jill Levitt is a certified Level 5 Master Therapist and Trainer in TEAM-CBT Therapy. Dr. Levitt teaches both in-person and online workshops for Feeling Good Institute on CBT methods, reducing resistance in psychotherapy, and improving the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
Can’t attend live? A recording will be shared with all who register, but CE credit is only awarded to those who attend live.
Continuing Education Accreditation
*The Feeling Good Institute (FGI) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Feeling Good Institute maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Feeling Good Institute Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0175. The Feeling Good Institute (FGI) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6750. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. FGI is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Feeling Good Institute, #1442 is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Feeling Good Institute maintains responsibility for this course. Ace provider approval period: 05/30/2024-05/30/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit. Feeling Good Institute, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0678. A certificate of attendance will be emailed to attendees who attend 100% of the training within a week of completion of the workshop survey. Individuals with disabilities requiring special accommodations please contact Dr. Maor Katz at maor@feelinggoodinstitute.com.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM PT / 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET