In this workshop, humane prevention strategies of aggression in high-security forensic psychiatry are discussed, with a focus on the education and training of staff members in creating a humane therapeutic milieu and intervening without pain incentives during violent incidents.
The current workshop is divided into three parts. First, a study is discussed, aimed to recognize the needs of health care staff in avoiding violent incidents and to identify areas of improvement in the current violence prevention policy and the policy regarding a safe transfer of the patient to a seclusion room. Different measures are suggested that could improve self-confidence, which can be subdivided into different prevention levels. Practical interventions are formulated that respond to the existing gaps in violence prevention policy and to the needs of the employees.
The second part of the workshop offers a brief framework on the humane character of the treatment policy during aggression situations in the Flemish FPCs. Additionally, this is put into practice by conducting exercises with the attendees that are part of the training of staff members. Furthermore, team techniques are shown in order to ensure a safe transfer of the patient to a seclusion room.
The third part of the workshop explains how the principles of the therapeutic climate are put into practice in the FPCs. Special attention will be given to how staff members can be coached to form a socio-pedagogical living environment and improve their professional relationship to the patient. Fictional vignettes will be discussed in small groups.
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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.
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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.
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Tim Vansteenkiste
Physical resilience trainer, FPC Ghent, Belgium
I work at FPC Gent as a physical resilience trainer.