A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Client Violence in Residential Treatment

Abstract

Residential counselors are occasionally expected to be in contact with clients at risk for violent behavior. Client violence poses the obvious risk of physical harm, and there is evidence to suggest that it may have a potentially harmful psychological impact as well. As a result of the potential variability within training programs in didactic and clinical instruction, residential counselors may be neither adequately informed about the nature of violent behavior nor prepared for the potential effects of client violence. The purpose of this article is threefold: (a) To call attention to the potential crisis of client violence for counselors, (b) to propose a conceptual framework for counselor preparation and practice regarding client violence, and (e) to make recommendations for further research.