Forensic Case Formulation for Violence and Aggression

Abstract

An understanding of an individual's risk potential should underpin the action taken to manage it because this will ensure that interventions have the best chance of being sensitive to the needs that violence and aggression may otherwise be used to meet. Formulation is the name given to this process of understanding risk, and it is increasingly recognized as the critical central element of the risk assessment and management task, as well as the essential precursor to treatment and intervention. This chapter examines the task of formulation and how it applies to clinical practice with violent and aggressive clients.