Prevention of Targeted Violence: Adopting a comprehensive threat assessment approach to identifying and managing risk of violence

Friday April 30, 2021

11am – 1pm

Tickets

WCPA Members - Free Non-members- $20
2 continuing education credit hours - $10

The past 50 years have witnessed an increase in the incidence of targeted violence. These low frequency, high impact events have led to more focused efforts to mitigate risk of violence, with a shift in emphasis from prediction to prevention. Research has demonstrated that most individuals with serious mental illness do not commit violent acts. However, those with serious mental illness are vulnerable to other factors that may increase their risk for violence. As such, mental health professionals are critical contributors to threat assessment efforts. This presentation will review the principles of effective threat assessment, components of the pathway to violence, warning behaviors for targeted violence, and the intersection of mental health and threat assessment. Recent research on the efficacy of threat assessment and potential cultural biases in the process will also be discussed.

At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to:

• Describe the principles of evidence-based threat assessment models
• Explain the pathway to violence and associated warning behaviors
• Describe the role of mental health professionals in guiding threat assessment efforts and navigating the complex relationship between mental illness and risk for targeted violence
• Summarize recent empirical findings related to the efficacy of threat assessment and potential biases in the process

Brief Bio:
Barbara Meehan, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Westchester County, NY. She has enjoyed various clinical and administrative roles throughout her career, including her service as the Chief Psychologist and Senior Administrator of the primary psychological service agencies at Arizona State University and George Mason University. In these roles, Dr. Meehan was a lead member of the threat assessment teams responsible for assessing and managing student and employee threats of violence. In addition to providing psychological services to adolescents through older adults in her practice, Dr. Meehan continues to provide consultation to faculty, staff, and administrators of educational institutions regarding student and faculty emotional well-being and success. Dr. Meehan is active within local and national professional organizations and is an accomplished presenter on such topics as: suicide and violence prevention/intervention, sexual assault and healthy relationships, crisis response, peak performance in academics/athletics/career, and de-escalating distressed individuals in the workplace and educational settings.

Zoom links will be sent to registrants the day before the presentation, the morning of the presentation, 2 hours before the presentation starts, and again 10 minutes before the presentation begins.

Cancellation policy: A full refund will be given if cancellation is made 3 business days before the presentation.

Register Here

The Westchester Center for Psychological Education is approved by the American Psychological Association and New York State Education Department to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Westchester Center for Psychological Education maintains responsibility for this program and its content.