Clinical Office Safety: Strategies to Enhance the Safety of Staff and Clients

Mental health practitioners' exposure to threats and acts of nonfatal violence are among the highest of all professions. Implementing a comprehensive workplace violence prevention program specific to the clinical setting is paramount to decreasing these risks. However, generic security recommendations at times come in conflict with the professional, legal, ethical, and budgetary constraints unique to the clinical environment. This article discusses how the various types of security surveys, policy considerations and practical training applications can be implemented with sensitivity to those challenges and still enhance the safety of staff and clients alike.