Psychology 101 for the Private Investigator

Objectives:

1) The audience will understand how to detect psychological problems in their clients such as mood disorders, suicidality, delusional disorders and personality disorders (narcissistic, borderline, paranoid, and antisocial) that could interfere with their investigative efforts.

2) The audience will understand the psychology of infidelity, child custody issues, and how to detect paranoid delusions.

3) The audience will learn how they as professionals can work with clients with such issues to optimize delivery of investigative services and/or direct them to the psychological/psychiatric services they may need.

4) The audience will learn about the toll of emotional stress on the brain and body and useful stress management techniques.

Outline
This presentation will have two parts:

The first part will cover basic psychological concepts critical for private investigators to help them understand their clients and better serve them. An informational overview about common emotional disturbances that are present in many clients with whom the profession interacts such as depression, bipolar disorder, paranoid delusional disorder and personality disorders (narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial). Additional areas of knowledge that can help with planning investigations will be covered such as the psychology of infidelity, child custody issues, and how to differentiate between justified suspicion and paranoid delusional disorder will be covered. Finally, practical tips about how to handle clients with these types of problems will be covered. By some basic understanding of the emotional issues and motives of their clients, investigators will be better able determine which clients are better to avoid certain clients (e.g., a person with delusional disorder will not be satisfied with services provided regardless of quality) or better deliver the services requested of them of clients they do select.

The second part is called Boot Camp for Burnouts: Coping Strategies to Decrease Stress and Improve Body Functioning. The talk will review the detrimental effects of emotional stress on the brain and body and cover a range of techniques (e.g. cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, and medical hypnosis) with empirical evidence of decreasing stress, addressing the effects of stress such as problems with sleep, mood and concentration, and preventing stress-related physical illnesses. The talk includes examples for attendees to utilize for their own unique program.