10 Hours | 10 CEs

This self-paced training program on the The Behavioral Science of Firearms: A Mental Health Perspective on Guns, Suicide, and Violence is presented by Gianni Pirelli, PhD, ABPP.

In this program, Dr. Pirelli addresses the present and emerging issues related to the intersection of guns and mental health within the context of his Know (K), Ask (A), Do (D) framework. He provides a comprehensive overview of firearms, including their history, relevant statistics, gun basics, gun-related subgroups, and firearm policies and laws. In addition, Dr. Pirelli addresses issues associated with guns and mental health, violence and domestic violence, and suicide. In addition, Dr. Pirelli outlines the emerging roles of mental health professionals in firearm-related matters, including those associated with evaluation, treatment, teaching, and research. Applied clinical concepts and case examples are presented.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

  • Describe gun basics and gun safety principles

  • Describe aspects of cultural competence in the firearm arena (gun-related subcultures)

  • Describe firearm laws and policies

  • Describe psychological components of firearm-involved domestic violence, violence, and suicide

  • Describe when and how to ask about guns in treatment and evaluation contexts, including assessing violence, suicide, and firearm-specific risk

  • Describe how to conduct firearm-specific forensic evaluations for gun applicants and owners

  • Describe Firearm-related clinical intervention options

Presented By

Gianni Pirelli, PhD, ABPP

Dr. Pirelli is Board Certified in Forensic Psychology, and a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. He is a leading expert in the firearms and mental health arena, as well as in forensic psychology practice ethics and procedures. He leads the group practice, Pirelli Clinical and Forensic Psychology, LLC, a team of licensed doctors conducting evaluations in a range of administrative, civil, and criminal matters. Dr. Pirelli has conducted over 1,000 evaluations and testified over 100 times in private practice. In addition to maintaining a full-time private practice, Dr. Pirelli has remained active in research, training, and professional service. His primary areas of research pertain to forensic mental health assessment (FMHA), ethics and standards of practice in forensic psychology, and guns and mental health. He has given many professional conference presentations and invited talks, and he has numerous publications, including being the lead on three (3) books published by Oxford University Press: The Ethical Practice of Forensic Psychology: A Casebook (2017); The Behavioral Science of Firearms: A Mental Health Perspective on Guns, Suicide, and Violence (2019); and Firearms and Clinical Practice: A Handbook for Medical and Mental Health Professionals (2023). Dr. Pirelli has also published chapters in seminal texts such as the Handbook of Forensic Psychology (4th Edition), and his articles have been published in leading practice-oriented journals such as the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology; the Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice; Professional Psychology: Research and Practice; and Psychology, Public Policy and Law. Of additional note is Dr. Pirelli’s research has been cited in amicus briefs to the United States Supreme Court and the New York State Court of Appeals, and in the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice final report (2020).
  • Intended Audience

    This self-paced course is intended for mental health and other allied professionals.

  • Experience Level

    This self-paced course 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.

Curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome

    • Review Before Proceeding

  • 2

    Pre-Training Questionnaire

    • Pre-Training Questionnaire

  • 3

    Introduction

    • Lesson 1 Video

  • 4

    Primer on Guns

    • Lesson 2 Video

    • Psychological Evaluations

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 5

    Guns and the Law

    • Lesson 3 Video

    • Position Statement

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 6

    Firearms and Mental Health

    • Lesson 4 Video

    • Restoration of Rights

    • Journal

    • Cultural Competence

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 7

    Therapeutic Contexts

    • Lesson 5 Video

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 8

    Assessment

    • Lesson 6 Video

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 9

    Ethical Considerations

    • Lesson 7 Video

    • Lesson Quiz

  • 10

    Summary

    • Lesson 8 Video

    • References and Further Readings

  • 11

    Evaluation

    • Instructions

    • Evaluation

    • Submission Verification

Develop a Specialty Area of Practice

Transforming mental health professionals into experts

  • Expert Instructors

    Professional training developed and delivered by the field's leading experts

  • CE Credit

    Earn CE credit for meaningful professional training that will elevate your practice

  • Convenience & Flexibility

    Learn at your own pace, from wherever you might be!

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