North American psychologists’ experiences of stalking, threatening, and harassing behavior: A survey of ABPP diplomates.

Abstract

Most psychologists will be confronted by clients who stalk, threaten, or harass them at some point in their career. Despite the predictability of these challenges, most psychologists feel unprepared for managing them based on the training they receive. This study examined (a) the prevalence and types of stalking, threatening, and harassing behavior (STHB) experienced by highly trained North American psychologists (N ϭ 157); (b) differences in the nature and extent of STHB that psychologists practicing in different specialty areas and endorsing different theoretical orientations experience; (c) the types of risk management responses that these experienced clinicians found most (and least) effective; and (d) the personality characteristics of clients who engage in STHB using a clinician-rated standardized measure of personality (SWAP-P). Nearly 3 in 4 psychologists in this sample had been harassed at some point in their career, more than 1 in 5 threatened, and about 1 in 7 stalked. A majority of these highly trained psychologists reported feeling unprepared for these challenges. Results indicate a range of generally effective risk management strategies along with several clinical strategies that appear relatively more likely to make these situations worse. Forensic psychologists experienced STHB at rates nearly twice as high as nonforensic psychologists, and psychologists endorsing a psychodynamic orientation experienced higher rates of STHB than those endorsing a cognitive-behavioral orientation. The implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the need for improved access for psychologists to empirically informed risk management training and recommendations for practice are offered.

Hurting the healers: Stalking and stalking-related behavior perpetrated against counselors.

“…In contrast, Leavitt and colleagues (2006) found that when the proportion of time spent in forensic and nonforensic settings was taken into account there was no difference in levels of harassment or intimidation between MHPs in forensic and nonforensic practice. Kivisto and colleagues (2015) also found no association between forensic practice and stalking victimization, although a significant association was found for harassment.…”

Stalking of professionals: A scoping review.

“…In terms of strategies that were perceived as effective individual responses to the stalking, professionals across diverse disciplines reported that seeking support from colleagues, friends, and relatives was an effective coping strategy, as they were able to openly discuss about their experiences and were provided with practical approaches to dealing with the stalker, including transferring the responsibility or care of the stalker to another professional (Acquadro Maran et al, 2017; Guldimann et al, 2015; Hughes et al, 2007; Purcell, Pathé, et al, 2005; Jones & Sheridan, 2009; Kivisto et al, 2015; Kivisto & Kivisto, 2018; Morgan, 2009; Morgan & Kavanaugh, 2011). Several studies reported that participants had contacted the police and some obtained a restraining order, though none reported on the effectiveness of this strategy.…”

Psychologist homicide victims: The National Violent Death Reporting System and other sources

“…Arthur et al (2003) report on the incidence of specific types of assault, as well as the impact. The Kivisto et al (2015) survey of American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) diplomates reported most (71%) indicated they had been harassed by a patient at some point, 14.0% had been stalked, 21% had been threatened, and 2.5% had been physically attacked. A majority (60.2%) felt their training for dealing with such experiences was inadequate.…”