Psychic Assaults Frightened Clinicians

'...a fascinating read for mental health workers regardless of their own theoretical background. Working with disturbed and disturbing individuals in secure settings produces strong feelings, and working with those feelings is undoubtedly an essential part of providing care effectively. This book is likely to challenge readers' understandings of their own actions and reactions.' (Dr Neil Brimblecombe, Director of Mental Health Nursing, Department of Health, and Nurse Director, Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.)

"'...A fascinating read for mental health workers regardless of their own theoretical background. Working with disturbed and disturbing individuals in secure settings produces strong feelings, and working with those feelings is undoubtedly an essential part of providing care effectively. This book is likely to challenge readers' understandings of their own actions and reactions.' (Dr Neil Brimblecombe, Director of Mental Health Nursing, Department of Health, and Nurse Director, Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.)"--Provided by publisher.

This analysis of the forensic mental health system - how it operates, the people involved, the problems inherent in the system, and the huge ethical dilemmas - brings together a range of specialists, who describe the processes involved in dealing with a mentally disordered offender.

In clinical work, an awareness of patients' subjective experiences, particularly their perceptions of interpersonal relationships, is indispensable. The aim of this book is to improve care and treatment planning by describing a structured approach to eliciting patients' core relationship patterns. These patterns consist of the roles and scenarios into which they repeatedly cast themselves and others with whom they interact. Maladaptive patterns, in which vicious cycles and self-fulfilling prophecies of misperception, misunderstanding or provocation escalate, cause pain and havoc in personal relationships and can adversely affect both professionals' decisions and the overall delivery of treatment. This book shows how to use vital information that is often not made available to treatment teams in order to understand such potential pitfalls rather than succumb to them.

Working Positively with Personality Disorder in Secure Settings provides a positive, compassionate and evidence-based guide to working with patients with personality disorders. Unique in both its coverage and in its positive and evidence-based approach to working with patients with personality disorders Written with a practical focus by experienced practitioners in the field Offers a broad approach, with contributions from forensic and clinical psychologists, nurses, and therapists Covers therapy and therapeutic relationships, and issues of supervision, workforce development, treatment evaluation, team dynamics and managing boundaries Includes a strong patient focus and a number of personal accounts from patients who have received therapy themselves

A psychoanalytic understanding of violence is key to successful treatment strategies. This book draws on the expanding discipline of forensic psychotherapy to explore the theory behind violent behaviour in adults. With key definitions and practical case studies, it offers an accessible framework for mental health workers.

"What is a psychopath? How can we tell? Are psychopaths always a risk to the public? How safe are we from criminal psychopaths? This basic guide looks at the history and development of psychopathy. It gives practical illustrations and explains key provisions for dealing with criminal psychopaths (with examples). It also examines possible causes, the difficulties involved in the assessment of risk, and the tools used to determine whether or not someone has a psychopathic personality. Psychopathy may exist in the boardroom, politics or sport just as it does in our prisons—sometimes driven or successful people can exhibit similar traits without unduly adverse reaction. But when located in an individual with violent tendencies things become problematic and the chances are that they will not be deterred by or respond to everyday approaches to crime and punishment. Psychopaths may be cold, calculating, manipulative and lack empathy for victims or others. They may be charming, intelligent and walk the streets unnoticed. This book looks at how we seek to identify those who are dangerous or predatory and the arrangements to contain them in prisons and secure hospitals in the name of public safety (often for long periods of time). An expert introduction based on huge experience; Suitable for professionals, academics and general readers; With Questions, Suggestions for Further Reading and a Glossary of key terms. ‘They are Manfred-like characters, existing in their own time and space’: Dr Emmanuel Miller, in conversation with the author. ‘I think we have to be willing to go into the darkness’: Leading psychiatrist, Sarah Trevelyan. ‘Reflects immense scholarship based on multidisciplinary perspectives, innate decency and an ability to convey complex behaviours in a readable style’: John Harding CBE. ‘A much needed text from one of the doyens in this field’: Professor David Wilson. Professor Herschel Prins is highly respected in crime and mental health circles, having started out as a probation officer, worked for the Home Office, taught in universities and served on the Parole Board, Mental Health Review Tribunal, Mental Health Act Commission and as chair of various inquiries concerning psychopaths."