1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Preventing Vicarious Trauma (VT), Compassion Fatigue (CF), and Burnout (BO) in Forensic Mental Health is presented by Gianni Pirelli, Ph.D.

In this program, Dr. Pirelli addresses the related yet distinct concepts of vicarious trauma (VT), compassion fatigue (CF), and burnout (BO) within the context of forensic mental health. After providing a general overview of each, he speaks directly to forensic mental health – namely, how these issues can impact participants, trainees, early career professionals (ECPs), supervisors and instructors, and practitioners. 

Dr. Pirelli also uses the practice of forensic psychology as an example, addressing relevant research on VT, CF, and BO within the context of criminal, civil, and administrative matters, as well as in treatment, teaching, and research contexts. Then, he highlights four (4) areas of consideration for preventing VT, CF, and BO in the forensic arena: (a) identifying potential risk factors; (b) recognizing, developing, and strengthening protective factors; (c) overcoming self-care and treatment barriers, and (d) identifying and engaging in therapeutic interventions.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1
    Describe operational definitions of vicarious trauma (VT), compassion fatigue (CF), and burnout (BO), and how they compare
  • 2
    Describe how VT, CF, and BO may manifest in forensic mental health training and practice as well as in the context of research and teaching
  • 3 Describe areas of consideration for preventing VT, CF, and BO in the forensic arena

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for forensic mental health professionals specializing in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, or related mental health disciplines. It is suitable for individuals who frequently encounter trauma and high-stress cases and provides both foundational knowledge and a comprehensive overview of key concepts in forensic mental health.

    • Forensic Psychologist
    • Clinical Psychologist (Forensic Settings)
    • Mental Health Professional
    • Practitioner in Forensic Mental Health Institutions
    • Academic or Researcher (Forensic/Clinical Psychology)
    • Clinician Exposed to Trauma and High-Stress Cases

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who work in or are interested in forensic mental health settings.

      Beginner: New to the concepts of vicarious trauma (VT), compassion fatigue (CF), and burnout (BO); seeking foundational knowledge and operational definitions; may have limited experience recognizing these issues in forensic contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Forensic mental health professionals practice in environments where legal and psychological issues intersect, often dealing with individuals involved in the criminal or civil justice systems. These settings are typically high-stress and may expose practitioners to traumatic material, emotionally charged cases, and complex ethical dilemmas. Professionals may also provide expert testimony, conduct forensic assessments, deliver treatment to justice-involved individuals, or engage in teaching and research related to forensic mental health.

    Examples of practice settings:

    • Correctional facilities (prisons, jails, juvenile detention centers)
    • Forensic psychiatric hospitals or secure mental health units
    • Court clinics or court-appointed evaluation centers
    • Private practice specializing in forensic assessment or consultation
    • Academic or research institutions focusing on forensic or clinical psychology
    • Community mental health centers serving justice-involved populations
    • Law enforcement agencies or government forensic services

Presented By

Gianni Pirelli, PhD, ABPP Certified in Forensic Psychology, and a Licensed Psychologist

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).

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Gianni Pirelli, PhD, ABPP

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. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



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) 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 Board for 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 Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #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 Professional Training, #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.