Posted by rachel on June 04, 19103 at 18:03:24:
Hello,
I work as a firefighter for the City of Lapeer in Michigan. I also am a member of a juvenile firesetter intervention program that is available to all fire departments within our county. To date I have interviewed and provided educational programs for seventeen juveniles and am currently working with seven more.
On juvenile I am currently working with has beeninvolved in firesetting. I have been referred through the judicial system but will mention that I had this juvenile two years ago that came from a parent referral.
The first time I interviewed him and his family the scores revealed an extreme risk. Due to uncontrollable circumstances (lack of parent admission and a friend of the family that stepped in) I had to back off and let things go due to the fact it was not court ordered.
Now, things have escalated and he seems to be heading to an "out of control" situation. Our program has a variety of resources available, but, I am in search of a psychologist that could help determine if he goes above what I am capable of working with. I will be re-interviewing him and the family (using the FEMA long interview) to see how accurate the first interview was.
If there is anyone that knows of a psychologist in the state of Michigan that deals specifically with juveniles and firesetting, or one that can perform tests to determine if this juvenile could be at the level of pyromania, I would appreciate any contact names or programs that are available. This juvenile is venting his anger out through a variety of methods, searching for control over the situation. Any help that could be offered/suggested would be greatly appreciated.
Rachel Swailes