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The Abusive Personality: Insecure Attachment, Borderline Personality, and Intimate Partner Violence

US$255 Regular Price

-US$25 GIFR Member Price


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CE Credits: 7 Credits
Length: 2 Hours (Video) + 5 Hours (Reading)
Level: Intermediate
CE Eligibility: APA, ASWB ACE, ANCC, NBCC, NAADAC, CPA
Training Style: Video + Readings
Category: Intimate Partner Violence
Intended Audience: Mental Health, Correctional, and Legal Professionals

Training Description
In this workshop, attendees will examine the psychology of intimate partner violence, specifically focusing on attachment insecurity and Borderline Personality as central features of abusiveness. A detailed review of the empirical literature on attachment and Borderline Personality is made, and their relationships to intimate partner violence are outlined. It is argued that insecure attachment can develop into Borderline Personality and that compromised threat assessment and lack of emotional control are central risk factors for aggression. A trauma model for abusiveness is proposed that views abusiveness as produced by a personality constellation resulting from genetic susceptibility and a triad of early maltreatment from physical abuse, shaming, and insecure attachment. Case studies are used to connect attachment issues to spousal homicide.
Trainer Biographies
Don Dutton, PhD is Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia. During the 15 years he spent providing therapy for court-mandated men convicted of wife assault, he developed a psychological model for perpetrators of intimate partner abuse. This clinical experience has driven Dr. Dutton to publish over 100 papers and five books, including the Domestic Assault of Women (1995), The Batterer: A Psychological Profile (1995), The Abusive Personality (2002), and Rethinking Domestic Violence (2006). Dr. Dutton has frequently served as an expert witness in criminal and civil trials involving domestic abuse and family violence, and has provided numerous workshops to professionals based on his work.
Learning Objectives
This training is designed to help you:
  • Describe the relationship between Borderline Personality and the cycle of violence
  • Identify how early psychological factors can result in the formation of insecure attachment
  • Examine the evidence connecting attachment insecurity to adolescent aggression
  • Discuss the psychological basis for reactive abandonment killings

1 Sponsorship: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc is approved by the American Psychological Association, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, and Canadian Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education trainings. Global Institute of Forensic Research (GIFR) has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education provider, ACEP No. 6711. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. GIFR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. The American Nurses Credentialing Center accepts Continuing Education Credit sponsored by the American Psychological Association. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc (provider #1371) is also approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ACE provider approval period: 6/8/2022-6/8/2025. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
2 Refund/Cancellation Policy: If you wish to request a refund on account of technical difficulties, please contact [email protected].
3 Commercial Supports: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc reports no conflicts of interest in the development and sponsorship of this training. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc receives no commercial support for its Continuing Education programs or from its presenters.

Note 1: The CPA's approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA's approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider's CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.

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