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IDENTIFYING AND DE-ESCALATING
CLIENTS WHO COULD BECOME VIOLENT
Mary Jeffery Stevens, LPC, LISW
Private Practitioner at Lilley and Associates
1910 Crown Park
Columbus, Ohio
(614)456-8359 -- (614)294-5098
"Ordinary" people can overreact, even to the point of violence, when over-stressed. Something
that seems simple to someone outside the situation may be the "straw that breaks the camel's
back" - Many factors related to the client can be indicators of violence. Often those who become
violent see themselves as victims and others as intrusive and Controlling. Alcohol and drug use
increase risk due to increasing emotionality and decreasing inhibitions. Exposure to violence
increases the likelihood that a person will use violence, as does a background or mental status
that. limits other problem-solving options the person is able to generate. Physical pain and illness,
especially headaches, lack of sleep, and hunger also reduce tolerance for stress and call. increase
the likelihood of a person's acting out.
The best predictor of violent behavior is a history of violent behavior. Of course a thorough
history is usually unavailable in crisis situations. Some of the old rules of thumb no longer apply;
for instance while most violence is perpetrated by young men against other men this is changing;
women are becoming increasingly violent and men are becoming more likely to strike out at either
sex. Thus it becomes important to become aware of predictive behaviors that are readily
observable. Behaviors and possible de-escalating techniques include:
Be aware at all times of your body language, tone or voice and other behaviors that can prevent
or minimize incidents.