The Ethics of Labeling: A conversation with Gwenda Willis, PhD, PGDipClinPsyc
This webinar is for professionals and practitioners in the fields of forensic and correctional psychology, as well as individuals involved in academic writing, conference presentations, and therapeutic work.
In a 2017 paper, Gwenda Willis, with the assistance of others along the way, asked the question that resulted in massive changes in practice and policy in several countries around the world. Why do we call people by what we don’t want them to be?
As she explains in the journal Psychology, Crime, and Law, labeling a person by their past behavior or a criminal conviction is commonplace throughout forensic and correctional psychology. These labels (including “offender” and “sex offender”) infiltrate academic writing and conference presentations, names of professional organizations and treatment programs, and, at times, traverse therapeutic work. That such labels are frequently used and rarely advocated against suggests that helping professionals either (i) don’t recognize labeling as an ethical issue or (ii) don’t consider it their role to challenge.
This webinar conversation develops these ideas and explores implications for practitioners.
Who's Presenting
Gwenda M. Willis, PhD, PGDipClinPsyc
Dr. Willis is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and Registered Clinical Psychologist. Her research and clinical interests focus on strengths-based approaches to psychological assessment and therapy in forensic/correctional settings, trauma-informed care, and sexual abuse prevention. Dr. Willis provides training and consultation to clinicians internationally, including in the application of the contemporary Good Lives Model of rehabilitation. Dr. Willis has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and her research has been widely cited. She led the development and initial validation of the SAPROF-SO with co-authors Drs David Thornton, Sharon Kelley, and Michiel de Vries Robbé.