The Psychology of Arson: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Managing Deliberate Firesetters

The Psychology of Arson is the first book in its field to focus specifically on contemporary topics relevant to practitioners and professionals working with adolescent and adult deliberate firesetters. Rebekah Doley, Geoffrey Dickens and Theresa Gannon have integrated the very latest information regarding prevalence, theory, research and practice in one accessible resource, and provide practical advice, strategies and techniques in a context of evidence-based research which will be invaluable for all treatment providers who work in the field of deliberate fire setting.

Unique features of this book include chapters considering community awareness, strategies, survivors of arson, filicide and suicide by fire, as well as a new treatment model developed on the basis of the latest research in the field. It is divided into four parts:

Theories and typologies of firesetting

Legal, investigative and preventative issues

Assessment and risk assessment of deliberate firesetters

Treatment, needs and management of deliberate firesetters

The Psychology of Arson provides the first scientist-practitioner model for the treatment of arson offenders. It will be an essential resource for forensic psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other professionals working with this client group.

Rebekah M. Doley is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Centre for Forensic and Interpersonal Risk Management at Bond University. She is a registered Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, with a history of research, assessment and treatment of offenders and non-offenders, with a speciality in the psychology of deliberate firesetting. Rebekah has published in the areas of forensic and clinical psychology, with a particular focus on firesetting.

Geoffrey L. Dickens is Professor of Mental Health Nursing at Abertay University, Dundee. He leads a research programme about inpatient risk behaviours, and is particularly interested in the applicability of risk assessment instruments across diverse populations. He is author of more than 50 research papers relating to secure or forensic mental health care. He is a registered mental health nurse with nearly 20 years' experience, including extensive work in research and practice development.

Theresa A. Gannon is a Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent, UK and is Director of the Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (CORE-FP). Theresa also works as a Consultant Forensic Psychologist specialising in sexual offenders and firesetters in Kent Forensic Psychiatry Service, UK. Theresa has published numerous chapters, articles, books and other scholarly works in the areas of firesetting. In particular she is lead developer of the Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting.