Preventing Aggression: Prevention Strategies and Training of Staff Members in High-security Forensic Psychiatry

ICPA2023 Presentation by Sophie Verschueren, Wendy Naegels and Tim Vansteenkiste (ICPA2023-PID191)

Authors

Sophie Verschueren

Researcher, FPC Antwerpen, Belgium

I am a criminologist and sexologist, who started her career as a scientific researcher in the mid-security forensic department in the psychiatric hospital Asster, for patients who committed sexually transgressive behavior. Conducting research in the field of forensic psychiatry caught my interest and therefore I applied for a position at the Forensic Psychiatric Center of Antwerp, where I still work to this day. In the past I performed risk assessment for sexual violence, but I now mainly focus on conducting scientific research projects to evaluate or ameliorate different aspects of treatment in the FPC. For two years, I combined this job with a teacher position at the department of forensic psychology at Tilburg University, where I supervised theses and trained students in conducting their first research projects. Since I wanted to gain more clinical experience, I am now also working in a non-profit organization, offering therapeutic counseling to clients who have committed sexually transgressive behavior.

Wendy Naegels

Staff member internal training, FPC Antwerpen, Belgium

I am a midwife turned psychiatric nurse immediately after graduating. I started my career in psychiatry by working with adolescents and adults with eating disorders and especially helped shaping the relapse prevention module. After spending some time volunteering with mentally and physically disabled people in Sri Lanka, I returned to Belgium ready for a new challenge. The mid-security forensic hospital St. Jan Baptist in Zelzate provided this opportunity. This experience shaped and honed my interest in forensic psychiatry and led me to accept the next challenge: a position as head nurse with FPC Antwerpen. After three years of leading the Intensive Care Unit, I transitioned to a position as coach and educational staff assistant. In this capacity I teach and coach on the principles of de-escalation, therapeutic and conversational abilities, professional relationships and professionalism. In an effort to continue bettering my practice and continue incorporating evidence based practice, I am enrolled in master’s studies at the University of Antwerp and will graduate in 2024.

Tim Vansteenkiste

Physical resilience trainer, FPC Ghent, Belgium

I work at FPC Gent as a physical resilience trainer.

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