Differentiating Delusional Disorder from Extreme Beliefs

Custom training curriculum for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
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2 Hours | 2 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Differentiating Delusional Disorder from Extreme Beliefs is presented by Mark Cunningham, PhD, ABPP.

This program covers a process for how clinicians can differentiate whether a potential violent actor or post-violence defendant suffers from a delusional disorder or is simply radicalized in their extreme religious or political beliefs. An SPJ tool, “Model of Analysis for Differentiating Delusional Disorder from the Radicalization of Extreme Beliefs–17 Factor" (MADDD-or-Rad-17), is presented to aid in systematically distinguishing these cases and in promoting transparency in associated reports and testimony.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Describe the diagnostic criteria for delusional disorder

  • Describe five factors that render the differential between delusional disorders and extreme political beliefs more challenging

  • Describe seven primary arenas of analysis for making the differential

  • Describe a report-writing strategy that emphasizes efficiency, clarity, and relevancy

Presented By

PhD, ABPP Mark Cunningham, PhD, ABPP

Mark D. Cunningham, Ph.D., ABPP is a Seattle-based, board-certified clinical and forensic psychologist, researcher, and prolific scholar. His forensic practice is national in scope and he is licensed in 14 states. He has testified extensively in high stakes cases, including insanity defenses involving the differential between delusional disorder and extreme political beliefs. The SPJ model he is presenting was developed in response to these evaluations. Dr. Cunningham’s research, scholarship, and practice have garnered regional, national, and international recognition.

Program curriculum

    1. Review Before Proceeding

    2. Educational Disclaimer

    1. Lesson 1 Video

    1. Lesson 2 Video

    1. Lesson 3 Video

    2. Lesson 3 Quiz

    1. Lesson 4 Video

    2. Lesson 4 Quiz

    1. Lesson 5 Video

    2. Lesson 5 Quiz

About this course

  • Free
  • 22 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content

  • Intended Audience

    This live workshop/webinar is intended for mental health and other allied professionals.

  • Experience Level

    This live workshop/webinar is appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level clinicians.

  • CE / CPD Credit

    APA, ASWB, CPA, NBCC Click here for state and other regional board approvals.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. PaloAlto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Boardfor Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers#SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental HealthPractitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental healthcounselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT)has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT ProfessionalTraining, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.