Dangerous Patients: A Psychodynamic Approach to Risk Assessment and Management (The Forensic Psychotherapy Monograph Series)

This is a thought-provoking new collection that investigates the inherent difficulties in risk assessment in a series of papers by specialists in various aspects of forensic psychiatry and psychotherapy. An indispensable guide for any healthcare professional as well as fascinating insight into this highly-pressured environment. This thought-provoking new collection - the fourth volume in the Forensic Psychotherapy Monograph Series - investigates the inherent difficulties in risk assessment. We have all read the lurid headlines when things go wrong but what is it like for the professional who has to make such vital decisions? Ronald Doctor has assembled an impressive group of clinicians who specialise in various aspects of forensic psychiatry and psychotherapy to present their experiences and theories on this formidable subject. The book begins with a general overview of current psychodynamic approaches and covers various mental health settings, including medium- and high-security units, general medical hospitals and psychiatric wards. This collection will prove to be an indispensable guide to any healthcare professional and a fascinating insight for all into this highly-pressured environment. CONTENTS 6 SERIES FOREWORD 8 EDITORS AND CONTRIBUTORS 12 FOREWORD 16 Introduction 22 Chapter 1. Pathways of risk: the past, the present, and the unconscious 28 Chapter 2. Assessment of violence in medium-secure units 42 Chapter 3. Risk assessment in general psychiatry: a psychoanalytic perspective 54 Chapter 4. The psychodynamic assessment of violence in the general medical hospital, or, taking the "non-body" seriously 70 Chapter 5. Psychoanalytic aspects to the risk containment of dangerous patients treated in high-security hospital 82 Chapter 6. Containment and countertransference issues in a violent borderline patient 100 Chapter 7. Risk-taking in the assessment of maternal abilities 118 Chapter 8. The role of violence in perverse psychopathology 128 Chapter 9. Envy and violence in confused sexuality Kristian Aleman 136 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY 148 INDEX 156 Bringing together a well-respected group of clinicians, this text explores the controversial and very topical subject of risk assessment with violent patients