Talking BITs: Clinical Skills in Violence Risk Assessment
August 21, 2026 | 2:00pm - 3:15pm ET
Presenters:
Makenzie Schiemann, Ph.D., M.S.
Linda Abbott, M.S., LMHC
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Mental health professionals play a key role in effective violence risk assessment by applying their clinical skills to structured information gathering, purposeful questioning, and exploration of risk factors. This session connects clinical competencies with structured threat and violence risk assessment practices, including tools like NABITA's Structured Interview for Violence Risk Assessment (SIVRA).
Participants will learn to leverage core clinical skills to develop high-quality questions that elicit accurate, relevant, and actionable information. The session focuses on transitioning from therapeutic exploration to targeted assessment of risk and protective factors. Attendees will gain confidence in conducting person-centered, trauma-informed violence risk assessments aligned with their professional training.