Understanding and assessing adult firesetting

Adults with a history of deliberate firesetting are frequently encountered by clinicians working in mental health and criminal justice settings. However, standardised protocols to support clinicians with conducting effective assessments with this population are lacking.

This workshop provides mental health and corrections professionals with the latest knowledge on adult deliberate firesetting. Attendees will learn about common characteristics and motivations for adult firesetting as well as contemporary theoretical explanations for this behaviour. Attendees will also learn about current best practice approaches for conducting (risk)assessment for adult deliberate firesetting including identification of key treatment needs, formulation, and risk scenario and management planning. Case studies will be used to support attendees to translate knowledge into practice and to support skills development.

This workshop is designed for professionals working with mental health or justice involved people. If you have questions about your suitability for this workshop, please contact FMHPDP@swin.edu.au

This event has both in-person and online attendance options. The workshop will be held in person at Swinburne University (John Street, Hawthorn, VIC). For online attendees, the workshop will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. Joining information will be distributed closer to the workshop date.

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Nichola Tyler (Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, CFBS) and Dr Lauren Ducat (Manager Problem Behaviour Program and Chief Psychologist CFMHS, Forensicare; Adjunct Research Fellow, CFBS)