The Handbook of Psychology for Forensic Practioners

This handbook discusses some of the ways in which psychological research and methods can be applied by a wide variety of professional groups working with offenders. It concentrates on the assessment of risk in forensic settings and the interventions designed to reduce risk in violent and sexual offenders, and is divided into three sections. The first section includes an overview of major psychological perspectives on offending and this is followed by chapters on the contribution of psychological development and offender profiling. Section two focuses on the assessment of risk with particular emphasis given to two examples - the assessment of risk of suicidal behaviour and violence. Section three looks at the application of psychological assessment and intervention approaches. The focus throughout this section is on the use of systematic approaches to assessment and intervention and the two areas discussed in detail are anger management difficulties and sexual offending.