Friday, December 7, 2007

Violence, Psychiatric Disorders, & Substance Abuse in Youth & Adults: Clinical & Ethical Challenges

Violence, substance abuse, and psychiatric disorders combine to produce some of society's most potentially dangerous individuals. They are physically or sexually aggressive, which raises questions regarding personal safety as well as responsible treatment planning and liability management for mental health practitioners, schools, residential programs, hospitals, courts, and corrections.

We will discuss the complex relationship between violence and co-occurring disorders, such as thought disorders, mood disorders, impulse control disorders, and personality disorders. Particular attention will be paid to the relationships among violence and substance abuse, mental illness, and environmental influences (e.g., living situations, friends, and situational stressors) related to violence risk. Clinical considerations include client assessment and treatment planning, incorporation of ongoing risk management planning into provision of services, and coordination of communication and service planning with other professionals. Ethical challenges that arise when working with potentially violent individuals will also be addressed, including the protection of potential victims, informed consent, working within professional competencies, declining or referring for treatment, and provision of consultation or supervision. Workshop participants will be able to:

• Discuss historical, situational, environmental, and clinical factors associated with violence risk
• Recognize the features of common co-occurring psychiatric disorders and their relationship with violence risk
• Tailor treatment interventions to specific client symptoms 
• Identify and address ethical duties and challenges that arise 
• Select intervention strategies that play a role within a broader violence risk management strategy, and coordinate with other professionals for pragmatic treatment and violence interventions

This workshop offers 6 hours in ethics for all NH mental health professionals.

Instructor

Robert Kinscherff, Ph.D., J.D., a forensic psychologist and attorney, is Assistant Commissioner (Forensic Mental Health), Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. He is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, Boston University School of Law, and the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology.  Dr. Kinscherff has chaired the Ethics Committee and the Legal Issues Committee for the American Psychological Association. His practice includes evaluations, service planning, and service provision for juveniles and adults in state and private hospitals; residential, outpatient and correctional facilities; and Courts.