Training
Training in the use of the WAVR-21 is highly recommended. It should be complemented with access to professional consultation commensurate with the apparent seriousness and complexity of any threat scenario.
Drs. Stephen White and Reid Meloy, co-developers of the WAVR-21, with assistance from selected colleagues, provide training to users in various formats. Content can be tailored to the specific needs and challenges of a client-organization, as well as to the experience level of its internal threat management resources.
One-Day Introduction
Introduction to WAVR-21 principles and instruction on the use of the Worksheet.
Case studies and vignettes to illustrate practical application.
Online Training
Get comprehensive training online with pre-recorded modules that break down the material we teach in the in person trainings.
Subject-Specific Training
Training on specific topics like stalking, bullying, mental disorders, domestic violence in the workplace, psychopathy, extremism, and sexual deviance.
Review and debriefing of client’s cases for team training and protocol improvement.
Two-Day Workshop
Curriculum and Benefits
Drs. White and Meloy conduct a comprehensive two-day training on workplace and campus threat assessment, centered on use of the WAVR-21. Now in its third edition, the WAVR includes 21 empirically based criteria for assessing different forms of workplace and campus violence risk.
Private Trainings: Provided in-house to organizations by request
Drs. White and Meloy jointly conduct a comprehensive and engaging two-day training on workplace and campus threat assessment and case management, centered on use of the WAVR-21.
Other options include a two-day training, or a day-and-a-half training conducted by either Dr. White or Dr. Meloy.
Public Trainings: At various times during the year we host trainings open to multi-disciplinary threat assessment practitioners at all levels of knowledge and experience.
Detailed presentation and discussion of the WAVR 21 risk and protective factors, with case examples.
Instruction on the use of the 3 WAVR forms: Intake and Documentation Questionnaire, Worksheet, and Grid.
Case analysis of high profile workplace and campus targeted violence incidents.
Analysis and discussion of video interviews with perpetrators and individuals of concern.
Case vignette exercises to engage participants in use of the WAVR.
Risk topics include targeted violence, stalking, mental illness and violence, domestic and intimate partner violence, bullying, psychopathy, and the nexus of extreme ideology and psychopathology.
Process Issues: Interview strategies, working with targeted individuals, multi-disciplinary collaboration, errors due to normal bias, and best practices in organizational violence prevention.
Upcoming Trainings and Events
Here is where we will post any upcoming in person trainings.
Assessing and Managing Workplace and Campus Violence Risk with the WAVR-21 V3
Conducted by WAVR-21 Co-developers Drs. Stephen White and Reid Meloy.
Produced by eWAVR Partners and Specialized Training Services
Hosted by Intuit at their San Diego site
Jan. 21st & 22nd, 2027
Cost: $795
- 5% discount for ASIS or “TAP” members: ATAP, CATAP, AETAP, and APATAP. Coupon Code: SAFETY26
- Additional earlybird price until November 10th: $755.25 per person (5% off)
- Active, sworn members of law enforcement receive a 50% discount off the regular price (no other discounts). Email STS for details
Why should BTAM practitioners consider WAVR-21 training now?
Shrinking budgets in today’s work and campus environments require program managers to carefully consider their allocation of resources for training. At the same time, the risk of harm and the fear of harm remain substantial. New developments require consideration:
- Negligence claims are an increasing risk for organizations who fail to demonstrate best practice principles and a “commitment to program fidelity” that are now recognized for violence prevention in organizational settings.
- AI is changing how BTAM is practiced. The influence of AI must be recognized by practitioners – its powerful advantages, as well as its limitations, rapid rate of change, and the dangers it poses to individuals of concern who come to attention.
This workshop will provide a solid introduction to the most commonly used and highly regarded instrument for workplace and campus threat assessment – the WAVR-21 V3.
- Available either in-person or virtually over two days, BTAM members and safety professionals will obtain quality, practical training at reasonable costs.
- Expert trainers. Psychologists Stephen White and Reid Meloy, co-developers of the WAVR-21, draw on their combined multiple decades of consulting, forensic experience and scholarly work to offer an information-packed experience for attendees.
- BTAM foundations and principles of practice are succinctly delineated, and then demonstrated through numerous case examples, valuable to any new or experienced practitioners.
- Each of the WAVR risk and protective factors is defined and illustrated with case examples, and further demonstrated through progressive interactive vignettes
- The role of professional and clinical judgment is emphasized for integrating and interpreting findings derived from structured professional judgment guides (“SPJs”), and that inform case management decisions
- How to use AI appropriately in case work, with several examples
Topics included are:
- Motives for and modes of violence, and the pathway to targeted violence
- Mental disorder symptoms and violence
- Stalking, bullying, the suicide-homicide connection, personality disorders and violence, domestic/intimate partner violence
- Data sources, triage, interviewing strategies, bias issues and common missteps, and case formulation in threat assessment
- Recent research and scholarship relevant to BTAM practice
The WAVR-21 training offered by Drs. White and Meloy continues to receive high marks for both its solid content and engaging training experience.
For further information, the authors’ bios, and endorsements of the WAVR by noted professionals and selected practitioners, go to our About Uspage. Intuit’s San Diego site for the January 21-22 training is a comfortable learning environment. For in-person attendees the fee includes lite snacks, beverages and lunch.