Assessing forensic risk: a psychodynamic approach (P20)
Join experts from the renowned Portman Clinic in critical analysis of models of forensic risk assessment through a psychodynamic lens
Through a series of engaging, virtual lectures delivered by a group of expert speakers, this ten-week course offers you an innovative framework for understanding the complex and subtle issues involved in assessing and managing the risk of violence and sexual offending.
You may work in a variety of settings, including generic mental health services, social care, forensic mental health and the criminal justice system.
Aims and learning objectives
In this ten-week CPD course, you will examine:
- models of risk assessment
- key psychodynamic concepts in understanding symptoms, offending and enactment
- psychodynamic theories of violence
- psychodynamic theories of sexual offending and perversion
- psychodynamics of the relationship between offender and victim
- the impact of childhood development on adult enactment and offending: developmental history, attachment and cycles of violence and abuse
- understanding transference and countertransference in relation to risk and clinical work
- borderline and psychotic states of mind
- dynamics of coercion and control
Who is this course for?
This course is for you if you are a clinician or practitioner working in generic mental health services, social care, forensic mental health or the criminal justice system and come into contact with individuals who present a risk of harm to others.
The course will assist institutions in providing a safe and secure environment for their staff working with high risk individuals.
Course details
There will be ten sessions, each lasting two hours:
Please note the earlier start time on 7 February and 14 March.
| Sessions | Date | Start time | End time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session 1/10 | Friday 17 January 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 2/10 | Friday 24 January 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 3/10 | Friday 31 January 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 4/10 | Friday 7 February 2025 | 2pm | 4pm |
| Session 5/10 | Friday 14 February 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 6/10 | Friday 28 February 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 7/10 | Friday 7 March 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 8/10 | Friday 14 March 2025 | 2pm | 4pm |
| Session 9/10 | Friday 21 March 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
| Session 10/10 | Friday 28 March 2025 | 2.30pm | 4.30pm |
This course will be delivered remotely using Zoom.
You will need a device with a microphone and camera together with a suitably fast internet connection. Although mobile devices and tablets can be used, we recommend the use of a laptop or desktop PC for the best experience. Some devices provided by employers may have restrictions in place. Please use this Zoom test link to check your set up before booking.
You will be sent the necessary login link about a week before the course start date. Should you have any concerns about the accessibility of remote delivery please contact us to discuss how we can best help you.
This course is delivered by the renowned Portman Clinic and will introduce you to models of risk assessment and examine the applications and limitations.
You will examine key psychodynamic concepts in understanding symptoms, offending and enactment and gain an understanding of the impact of childhood development on adult offending behaviour.
You will also examine psychodynamic theories of sexual offending and perversion, and borderline and psychotic states of mind.
Lectures in this series include:
| Introducing a relational approach to risk assessment | Dr Jessica Yakeley |
| Online perversions | Gabrielle Brown |
| Relational Approaches to Sexual Offending | Dr Eleanor Fellows |
| Offending as a psychodynamic enactment | Dr Tomasz Fortuna |
| Perversions in Groups and Organisations | Dr Pedro Freire |
| Counter-transference issues in working with mentally-disordered offenders | Dr Alla Rubitel |
| Stalking: A relational approach | Gabrielle Brown |
| Violence and psychopathy | Dr Jessica Yakeley |
| Sexual aggression in adolescence | Dr Tim Baker |
| Violence as tragedy, violence as tyranny’ | Dr Stephen Blumenthal |
Although there are no formal academic entry requirements, we ask that you have had some previous learning/experience in the basics of psychodynamic theory.
Library membership
Included in your course fee, you will receive online membership to the Tavistock’s internationally-renowned library for the duration of your course.
Our friendly and knowledgeable library team will help to support you through your specialist CPD course, whatever your level of professional or academic experience. You will have access to an extensive range of eBooks, online journals, all the relevant key databases and our specialist audio-visual collection, plus reference access to all our print books.
Our information skills trainer has made lots of material available on Moodle to help you navigate our comprehensive electronic collections. PCs and photocopiers are available for your use (charges apply for printing and copying), as well as various online resources including audio/video playlists.
Testimonials
Course facilitators
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Jessica Yakeley
Consultant psychiatrist in forensic psychotherapy
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Stephen Blumenthal
Psychoanalyst and clinical psychologist
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Dr Tomasz Fortuna
Psychoanalyst
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Alla Rubitel
Consultant psychiatrist in forensic psychotherapy
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Gabrielle Brown
Forensic psychotherapist
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Pedro Freire
Adult Psychotherapist
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Neetu Rastogi
Forensic Psychotherapist
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Eleanor Fellows
Book your place today
You can book a place at any time. You’ll receive confirmation by email, and we will be in touch approximately one week before the course starts with detailed joining instructions.
CPD certificate 
