Workshops
1. FORNEUROTECH
Background
Violence and criminal behavior remain significant societal concerns. Understanding the neurobiological mechanisms underlying aggression is crucial for improving forensic care, yet neuroscientific insights are rarely integrated into current treatment approaches. While neuroscience has advanced our understanding of psychopathology, its application in forensic mental healthcare remains underdeveloped. The rapid development of innovative technologies in forensic assessment and care, such as wearables, Virtual Reality (VR), and neuromodulation holds immense potential for improving assessment and treatment of individuals within the justice system. However, the currently attempted implementation of these technologies often neglects the heterogeneity in underlying neurobiological mechanisms that drive delinquent behavior. Therefore, to advance forensic practice and technology, there is a critical need for neurobiological insights and the translation thereof to forensic practice.
(Neuro)Technology can not only increase our understanding of the heterogeneity in underlying neurobiological mechanisms that drive delinquent behavior, but enhances generalization of treatment to real-world settings, and improves the therapeutic process through novel approaches. Examples include simulating relevant situations and events in controlled yet ecologically valid environments, personalizing mental health-related treatment through algorithms, and delivering ‘ just-in-time’ interventions by providing warnings at critical timepoints.
During this workshop we will first give an overview of the added value of neurobiology and technology in Forensic assessment and treatment; introduce the FORNEUROTECH network; and explore potential barriers and solutions for implementation into practice. We invite researchers and practitioners to join a round table discussion to exchange knowledge and experiences. By facilitating collaboration among experts from various disciplines and practices and showcasing cutting-edge tools, this workshop will identify opportunities for innovation and evaluate the applicability of neurotechnology in forensic contexts, leading to a shared agenda to highlight what is needed to bring this field forward with input from all participants.
FORNEUROTECH is a sustainable knowledge network uniting scientists and practitioners to advance forensic neurobiology and technology. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we seek to integrate neurobiological insights with forensic practice and promote evidence-based implementation of neurotechnological interventions.
Website: www.forneurotech.com
Workshop organisers:
Dr. Carmen-Silva Sergiou – Amsterdam University Medical Centre
Dr. Ilse van de Groep – Erasmus University Rotterdam
Prof. dr. Lucres Nauta-Jansen – Amsterdam University Medical Centre
Dr. Thimo van der Pol – Forensic Youth Practice (Levvel)
Learning objectives:
After participation, the participant can:
- Identify which neurocognitive domains and technologies are relevant for forensic practice
- Identify which functions technologies can have and improve for forensic science (e.g. improve measurement, improve training of skills, decrease workload for professionals, etc.)
- Evaluate the added value of (neuro)technology by considering different values and needs (e.g. ethics, clinical need, feasibility), especially when working with youth
- Identify at least 4 barriers for implementation of (neuro)technology into forensic practice and a solution to mitigate these barriers (e.g. finances, training, organization culture, legal constraints).
- Align values with other stakeholders (e.g. shared goals / decisions) and promote knowledge transfer about forensic neurotechnology.
2. The Implementation of Multisystemic Therapy and Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect in a European Context
Background
Multisystemic Therapy (MST) was originally developed in the US (ref) as a systemic, evidence-based intervention delivered in the community. MST is based on Bronfenbrenner’s social ecological theory (1979) and incorporates a number of interventions, including systemic, behavioural and Cognitive Behavioural approaches to target young people at risk of or involved in criminal offending and entering the justice system. It has been extensively researched with this population.
In the European context, MST has been implemented extensively across the UK, Scandinavia and the Netherlands and the target population has been extended to children at risk of out of home placement due to abuse and neglect and also more recently focused on supporting young people to return home following periods of out of home care. This includes the implementation of MST-Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN), which was developed to address the key systemic, family and individual risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including evidence-based treatments for trauma and substance misuse in both adults and children. The MST-CAN Theory of Change outlines how interventions to improve family functioning and parental mental health impact on improved safety for children, increased social supports for families, improved engagement in education and relationships with statutory agencies, subsequently leading to reductions in abuse/neglect and improved child and adult functioning. In addition, MST and MST-CAN teams in the UK are also focusing on supporting families and service systems to enable children and young people to safely return home from both child welfare and secure settings, as well as working to prevent out of home placement.
Studies from the US, UK, Australia and Switzerland indicate that MST-CAN has a positive impact on both child and adult outcomes in a cost-effective way. A further Randomised Controlled Trial of MST-CAN is currently underway in the UK.
In a recent meta-analytic study (van der Put et al. 2018) supported the effectiveness of MST-CAN in preventing and reducing child maltreatment.
During this workshop, an overview of the theoretical framework and principles of Multisystemic Therapy will be discussed alongside details of the implementation of MST and MST -Child Abuse and Neglect with child welfare populations in a European context. This will include discussion of ensuring access for ethnically diverse communities and also families with disabilities.
There will be an introduction to the MST analytic process and its applicability in understanding child, young person and family difficulties and also systemic barriers. The key risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including parental risk factors, will be discussed alongside the key therapeutic components of MST and MST-CAN to address these, for both children and adults. There will be an opportunity to practice use of the analytic process and to consider applicability in your own work.
There will also be consideration of the need for practitioners to work in collaborative partnerships with families and other professionals, including social workers, to break down barriers, especially between child and adult services. Finally delegates will be asked to consider how evidence based, whole family interventions could be delivered in their own contexts and what the barriers to that might be.
Workshop organisers:
Cathy James – National Programme Lead Multisystemic Therapy
Anne Edmondson MST- CAN Consultant – Kings College London & South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Website: https://www.mstukandireland.org/
Learning objectives:
After participation in the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify systemic, family and individual risk factors for child abuse and neglect
- Increase knowledge of the MST analytic process
- Increase understanding of evidence-based treatments for risk factors for child abuse and neglect, including systemic risks, PTSD, substance misuse and emotional regulation
- Identify facilitators and barriers to implementation of family and systemic approaches to tackling child abuse and neglect and supporting children to remain or return home safely to their families
- Identify key partners in this process and opportunities for future collaboration.