Assessing Psychopathy using the Hare Scales (PCL-R and PCL-SV)

Presented by: Stephen D. Hart, PhD

20 Hours / 20 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Assessing Psychopathy using the Hare Scales (PCL-R and PCL-SV) is presented by Stephen D. Hart, PhD, in partnership with Protect International Risk and Safety Services.

This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards Violence Risk Assessment Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

A psychopathic personality disorder is an important risk factor for violence. Additionally, it has relevance for treatment and risk management. The Psychopathy Checklist, Revised (PCL-R) is currently the best-validated measure of psychopathy. The use of the PCL-R has become widespread across many agencies; it provides a standard methodology for assessing this important risk factor. In particular, emphasis is given to the clinical information derived from the instrument and how that information can be used in risk violence formulation. Using a variety of teaching modalities, didactic, interactive, and practical exercises, this program introduces participants to the PCL-R. A video case is used to allow participants to administer, score and interpret the PCL-R and PCL:SV (Screening Version) ratings and obtain feedback. The strengths and limitations of the PCL-R are discussed.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

1 Describe general diagnostic criteria for PD
2 Describe major symptoms of psychopathic PD
3 Describe the Hare Scales and their key features
4 Describe recent research, particularly related to diversity
5 Describe the empirical foundation for each of these forensic assessment instrument
6 Describe the theoretical foundation for each of these forensic assessment instrument
7 Describe the principles of administration
8 Describe the principles of interpretation
9 Describe related skills by analyzing and reviewing case studies
10 Describe the most effective ways to communicate their findings, both in writing and orally
11 Describe diagnostic formulation
12 Describe formulation of violence risk and treatability

Intended Audience

This training is designed for professionals involved in the assessment and management of psychopathy, particularly using the PCL-R. It is relevant to those specializing in forensic psychology, psychiatry, correctional mental health, and risk assessment for violent behavior, as well as a wide range of mental health and allied professionals.
Examples of Relevant Professionals:
- Forensic psychologists
- Forensic psychiatrists
- Correctional mental health professionals
- Social workers in forensic or correctional settings
- Nurses in forensic or correctional settings
- Allied professionals involved in risk assessment for violent behavior
- Mental health professionals
Experience Level

This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with psychopathy assessment and the PCL-R.
- Beginner: Participants are new to the PCL-R and psychopathic personality disorder assessment, seeking foundational knowledge of diagnostic criteria, major symptoms, and basic administration principles.
- Intermediate: Participants have some experience with forensic assessment instruments and are looking to deepen their skills in administering, scoring, interpreting the PCL-R and PCL:SV, and applying recent research and case analysis to clinical practice.
- Advanced: Participants are experienced in forensic mental health assessment and wish to refine their expertise in complex case formulation, advanced interpretation, and effective communication of findings, including nuanced understanding of diversity and empirical foundations.
Practice Setting

Practice occurs in high-stakes forensic and clinical environments where psychopathy and violence risk are routinely assessed, managed, and communicated to legal and clinical stakeholders. Professionals work within structured, policy-driven systems, often in secure or highly supervised care, collaborating in multidisciplinary teams to guide treatment planning and risk management across institutional and community pathways.

Examples of Practice Settings:
- Prisons and jails
- Forensic psychiatric hospitals and secure inpatient units
- Court clinics and competency/restoration services
- Probation, parole, and community corrections
- Violence risk assessment and threat management services
- Specialized outpatient forensic clinics
- Juvenile justice and secure residential programs
- State hospitals and civil commitment units

Presented By

Stephen D. Hart, PhD

Dr. Stephen D. Hart obtained BA, MA, and Ph.D. degrees in psychology at the University of British Columbia. He has been on faculty in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University since 1990 and has held the rank of Professor since 2001. He also served as a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Bergen in Norway between 2000 and 2021. His expertise is in the field of clinical-forensic psychology, with a special focus on the assessment of violence risk and psychopathic personality disorder. He has co-authored more than 250 books, chapters, and articles. He has served as editor of two scientific journals, a member of the editorial board of eight journals, and an ad hoc reviewer for more than 40 journals. He has served as an executive committee member of several professional organizations, including the President of the American Psychology-Law Society and the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services. He has received various distinctions for his professional work, including the Career Achievement Award from the Society of Clinical Psychology, the Saleem Shah Award for Early Career Research Excellence in Psychology and Law from the American Psychology-Law Society and the American Academy of Forensic Psychology, and the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals. He maintains an active practice in violence risk assessment. He has consulted with government agencies from more than 25 countries; led more than 500 training workshops around the world; and given expert evidence before courts, tribunals, inquests, review boards, and parliamentary committees in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Click the Icon Below to View More Programs by this Presenter

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

Principles
Participants will learn the principles of the PCL-R and PCL:SV.
Participants will also discuss the FAQ’s and recent research.
Case Study
Participants will learn to administer, score and interpret the PCL-R and PCL:SV and obtain feedback.
Formulation
Participants will discuss the formulation of violence risk and the strengths and limitations of the PCL-R and PCL:SV.

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.

View Certificates

We are proud to partner with

Protect International Risk and Safety Services

We are proud to partner with Protect International Risk and Safety Services for this training. Protect International's threat assessment professionals are internationally recognized experts that have developed some of the world's most widely used and best-validated threat assessment tools. Protect International provides services and products related to violence risk assessment and management, also known as threat assessment and management. Protect International services and products include threat assessment training and support, case assessment and management, legal consultation, policy review and development, and program evaluation and research; along with threat assessment manuals, worksheets, licenses, and software applications for those tools.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here.

American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.