Problematic and Risk Behaviours in Psychosis

In spite of improved access to psychosocial interventions, many people with psychosis continue to experience persistent problems which act as significant barriers to their recovery. This book investigates risk and problem behaviours in psychosis, including staff and service factors that can impede the delivery of effective care.

Problematic and Risk Behaviours in Psychosis provides a new approach for assessment, formulation and intervention within such problem behaviours in a team context. Of particular interest will be:

• an outline of the SAFE (Shared Assessment, Formulation and Education) approach
• an integrative model for understanding risk and problematic behaviour
• shared risk assessment and management processes
• approaches to reducing team and carer barriers to effective care
• the use of CBT in day-to-day interactions with clients
• a set of formulation-driven strategies for managing problematic behaviours
• case studies and vignettes providing guidance and highlighting the benefits of the approach.

This book will have particular appeal to professionals working in specialist community, hospital-based and residential services who often struggle to help those with the most complex mental health problems who are hardest to reach. It is also an excellent resource for those engaged in training in psychological therapies, risk assessment and management.

Alan Meaden is a Consultant Specialist Clinical Psychologist for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust who specialises in working with those most affected by psychosis. He is an active researcher, most notably in the area of cognitive therapy for command hallucinations, and has other research interests in engagement and staff factors.

David Hacker is a Principal Clinical Psychologist in Neuropsychology at University Hospital Birmingham Regional Neuroscience Centre. He is experienced in working clinically with psychosis, is an active researcher and a Cochrane reviewer. He has additional expertise in working with a range of forensic populations and has undertaken post-doctoral training in Neuropsychology, which is now his area of speciality.