This book presents an evidence-based framework for replacing harmful, restrictive behavior management practices with safe and effective alternatives. The first half summarizes the concept and history of restraint and seclusion in mental health applications used with impaired elders, children with intellectual disabilities, and psychiatric patients. Subsequent chapters provide robust data and make the case for behavior management interventions that are less restrictive without compromising the safety of the patients, staff, or others. This volume presents the necessary steps toward the gradual elimination of restraint-based strategies and advocates for practices based in client rights and ethical values.

Topics featured in this volume include:

• The epidemiology of restraints in mental health practice.


• Ethical and legal aspects of restraint and seclusion.


• Current uses of restraint and seclusion.


• Applied behavior analysis with general characteristics and interventions.


• The evidence for organizational interventions.


• Other approaches to non-restrictive behavior management.

Reducing Restraint and Restrictive Behavior Management Practices is a must-have resource for researchers, clinicians and practitioners, and graduate students in the fields of developmental psychology, behavioral therapy, social work, psychiatry, and geriatrics.