The Stalking Prevention Model (SPM): A Preliminary Model for Managing Client Stalking of Psychology Trainees
Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Doctoral Research Paper
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Organizational Unit
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Hale Martin
Second Advisor
Lavita Nadkarni
Third Advisor
Chelsea Towler Campbell
Keywords
Stalking, Risk assessment, Prevention, Ethics, Safety, Decision-making
Abstract
Research shows that mental health professionals (MHPs) experience higher rates of stalking than the general population. While graduate schools provide training on risk assessment, this training focuses primarily on suicide risk or threat toward a third party. Graduate schools rarely educate trainees to manage client stalking, leaving many MHPs unprepared to address this situation. Research indicates the emotional and psychological effects of client stalking can lead MHPs to leave the field. It also suggests that early detection can aid in the prevention of this relatively common occurrence. This paper examines the typologies of and risk factors for individuals who stalk. Focusing specifically on clients, trainees and supervisors at university-based training clinics, this paper works to integrate campus policy, ethical, legal and clinical considerations to inform primary and secondary prevention measures. It highlights the nuanced distinctions between transference/countertransference (T/CT) behavior and prodromal stalking, and offers a unique decision-making model (the SPM) to help trainees and supervisors navigate these challenging situations. Finally, it presents two cases that demonstrate the utility of the SPM.
Publication Statement
Copyright held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Extent
53 pgs
Recommended Citation
Bublitz, Vera, "The Stalking Prevention Model (SPM): A Preliminary Model for Managing Client Stalking of Psychology Trainees" (2021). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 408.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/408