Assessing and Treating Adult Firesetting
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This training introduces mental health professionals to recent advances in understanding firesetting behaviors in adults that have led to evidence-informed models for assessment and treatment.
Every year in the U.S., U.K., New Zealand, and Australia, thousands of irresponsible, reckless, and dangerous fires set by adults result in thousands of deaths and injuries, billions of dollars in property loss, and traumatic experiences for individuals and communities. Recent studies suggest that upwards of 20% of adults admitted to psychiatric hospitals have histories of firesetting, or arrests for arson, in their medical record. Yet despite its prevalence and significant potential for harm, intentional firesetting by adults has received remarkably little attention in research and program development, as compared with other violent or concerning behaviors. However, as a result of an internationally led research effort during this past decade, we have seen significant progress in firesetting-specific theory, specific guidance in risk assessment modeling, and manualized treatment models that provide practitioners with the opportunity to implement treatment that addresses the specific needs of these individuals.
Key topics include:
- Differentiating among the terms firesetting, arson, and pyromania
- Who sets fires? Demographic and diagnostic data
- The Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF)
- Utilizing structured decision-making models for assessment
- Incorporating firesetting-specific measures in assessment
- The Firesetting Intervention Program for Mentally Disordered Offenders (FIP-MO) and the Firesetting Intervention Program for Prisoners (FIPP)
1) Describe the demographic and diagnostic characteristics most commonly seen among firesetting adults.
2) Explain the components of the Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (MTTAF).
3) Describe the four primary risk factors associated with firesetting.
4) Apply firesetting-specific measures in assessment practice
5) Use the treatment elements included in FIP-MO and FIPP treatment models.
Audience
This training is for professionals working with people who have perpetrated abuse. Professionals who will benefit from this training include social workers, psychologists, clinical counselors, and interested paraprofessionals.
Content Level
Disclosure
Continuing Education Approval
American Psychological Association (APA)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Safer Society Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Who's Presenting
Robert Stadolnik, EdD
Robert Stadolnik, Ed.D., is a licensed psychologist and President of FirePsych, Inc., a specialized private practice devoted to firesetting assessment, training, and research. Since 1995 he has completed or supervised over 2000 firesetting behavior risk assessments for adults, adolescents, and children. Dr. Stadolnik provides clinical and program consultation in the assessment and treatment of adults with arson/firesetting histories transitioning from hospital care to community living to forensic hospitals, secure psychiatric hospitals, and community service agencies. He also serves as Consulting Psychologist to Brandon Residential Centers (Natick, MA), provides consultation and training to Whiting Forensic Hospital (CT) and Connecticut Valley Hospital. Dr. Stadolnik trains nationally and internationally on juvenile and adult firesetting.