Understand and address the drivers of stalking behaviour with this vital guide
In the thirty-five years since stalking was identified as harmful behaviour, addressing its social effects has largely fallen to criminal justice systems. There is, however, significant evidence to suggest that pure criminalisation has limited meaningful impact. Mental health and other interventions for people who stalk may be the only serious path to relief for many stalking victims. Despite this, robust research into treatment for people who stalk remains rare, and relevant resources for treatment providers few.
Treating Stalking is the first comprehensive guide for clinicians on this vital subject. It outlines 10 principles of effective intervention and gives detailed, practical, advice about delivering psychological and other treatment. It’s content draws on decades of research and clinical experience, but Treating Stalking also proposes a stalking research agenda to help ensure that future practice is evidence-based.
Treating Stalking readers will also find:
- Case examples and worksheets from the authors’ psychological practice
- Detailed advice on assessment, risk assessment, case formulation, and ethical and legal issues
- Discussion of multidisciplinary and multiagency management to help stop stalking
Treating Stalking is a must-have for any psychologist or other mental health professional looking to treat patients who stalk.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements vii
About the Companion Website viii
Introduction 1
What Is Stalking? 5
Why Is Treatment for Stalking Needed? 6
Key Facts About Stalking 9
Explaining Stalking 11
Laws Prohibiting Stalking 12
The Use of Anti- stalking Laws 13
Recognising Stalking 14
Biases Influencing This Book 18
Overview of This Book 19
Conclusion 20
References 21
Part 1 A Rationale for Stalking Treatment 29
1 Key Components and Principles of Stalking Treatment 31
Who to Treat? 32
What to Treat? 32
How to Treat 34
10 Principles for Treating Stalking 39
Summary 53
References 54
Part 2 Assessing Stalking 59
2 Preparing for and Conducting the Initial Assessment 61
The Role of Structured Risk Assessment in Assessing Stalking 63
Ethical Considerations When Conducting a Stalking Assessment 64
Preparing for the Assessment Interview 65
Approach to and Structure of the Interview 70
Assess the Person’s Current Circumstances 72
Assess the Stalking Situation 73
Assess Personal History 86
Psychometric Testing 92
Conclusion 93
References 94
3 Understanding and Assessing Stalking Risks 98
Types of Risk in Stalking Cases 99
Structured Guidelines for Assessing Stalking Risks 105
Choosing Which SPJ Guidelines to Use 110
Using the Results of the SPJ Risk Assessment 112
Conclusion 113
References 114
4 Formulating Stalking Behaviour 118
What Is Formulation? 118
What Makes a Good Formulation? 122
Steps to Developing a Good Forensic Formulation 123
Sharing the Formulation With Clients 131
From Formulation to Treatment Planning 132
Behavioural Formulation of Stalking 132
Conclusion 140
References 141
Part 3 Treating Stalking 145
5 Developing a Treatment Plan and Strategies for Treatment 147
Steps in Developing a Treatment Plan 148
Practising Skills During Treatment 153
Treatment Strategies for Common Treatment Needs 154
Strategies That Target Awareness of Experience 155
Strategies That Target Acceptance 159
Skills to Decrease Impulsive Behaviour 161
Strategies to Improve Understanding, Tolerance, and Regulation of Emotional States 164
Cognitive Strategies to Reduce Impulsive Behaviour 168
Interventions to Address Thinking Patterns Supporting Stalking 172
Social Skills 180
Strategies to Help Build a Meaningful Life Without Stalking 182
Strategies for Successful Discharge and Continued Abstinence From Stalking 188
Conclusion 189
References 190
6 Establishing, Structuring, and Managing Treatment 193
Before Treatment Begins 194
Early Phase of Treatment 205
Mid to Late Phase of Treatment 216
Ending Phase of Treatment 227
Conclusion 230
References 230
7 Planning for and Managing Risk During Treatment 232
Drawing on the Formulation to Guide Risk Management 233
Early Phase of Treatment 237
Mid to Late Phase of Treatment 246
Ending Phase of Treatment 250
Responding to Increased Risk During Treatment 254
Conclusion 261
References 261
8 Multiagency Work When Managing Stalking 263
Why Is Multiagency Work in Stalking Cases Important? 264
The Practicalities of Multiagency Work 265
How Does Multiagency Cooperation Work Best? 267
A Framework for Multiagency Stalking Response 267
Considerations for Multiagency Work in Specific Contexts 272
Where Can Multiagency Work Go Wrong? 274
Examples of Organisations That Routinely Do Multiagency Stalking Work 277
Summary 279
References 279
Part 4 Towards an Evidence Base for Treating Stalking 281
9 Where to for Stalking Treatment? 283
Where We Have Come From 284
Some Thoughts About Where We Might Go 286
An Agenda for Future Stalking Research 289
Summary 299
Conclusions 300
References 302
Index 307
