Join Brandi and James as they talk with Ben Porter about perfectionism and its impact on cross-cultural workers. He notices in his practice that perfectionism is a recurring theme and a contributing factor to burnout, fatigue, and even moral injury. Roz Shafran defines clinical perfectionism as “the setting of personally demanding, self-imposed standards that are relentlessly pursued despite the occurrence of adverse consequences.” Cloud and Townsend add that the problem arises when perfectionism becomes a demand rather than a goal. This issue is also deeply connected to cross-cultural workers’ identity and attachment to their work.

Ben has an MA in psychotherapy from Denver Seminary and a Masters certificate from the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma.

Ben has lived and worked in conflict and post-conflict areas as a psychosocial practitioner and advisor with war-affected communities, as well as a staff care expert to international humanitarian and governmental organisations for the past 20 years. He founded and directed The Recreation Project, an adventure-based therapy program for former child soldiers in northern Uganda from 2009-2016.

He has provided staff care advice and support services to a wide range of INGOS in: East Africa, West Africa, Central Asia, Middle East, the Balkans, Western Europe, and the USA. Ben’s clinical specialism is in trauma therapy (including EMDR), and he is also a certified Life Coach (accredited by BCC) Ben is passionate about supporting aid and mission workers in phases of transition and “re-entry”.

Before joining Thrive Worldwide, Ben worked as a Senior Trainer and Psychotherapist at InterHealth Worldwide. Ben lives in Cambridge with his wife and two children. He enjoys distance running along the River Cam while listening to a good podcast.

Ben is based in the UK