Our treatment and evaluation services are provided on an outpatient basis for adults who have deliberately set fires and/or are at risk to do so. FPC offers specialized services for individuals with comorbid developmental disabilities and psychiatric disorders. Clients are self-referred or court-mandated.

No, FPC provides outpatient psychiatric treatment including individual, group and medication management. FPC is able to consult to inpatient teams to develop safe discharges.

A risk assessment involves a clinical interview, review of collateral sources of information and use of psychological tools used in the assessment of firesetting behavior.

FPC uses evidence-based treatments to identify an individual’s treatment needs.  These may include psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic approaches.

Common legal questions related to firesetting behaviors include questions related to the motivation of the offending behavior and the future risk of firesetting behavior.  These include criminal responsibility or insanity evaluations, diminished capacity and aid in sentencing evaluations.

If your client has unexplained firesetting behavior, they should be evaluated.  An evaluation will help answer whether the client has firesetting concerns and poses a risk to engage in future firesetting.

The prognosis depends on the etiology of the behavior.  In general, firesetters have low rates of recidivism (setting more fires).  A good prognosis relates to treatable mental illnesses, engagement of the individual and the right treatment.

Some individuals may benefit from psychopharmacologic treatment of comorbid psychiatric disorders.

Pyromania is defined by the DSM-5 under the category of “Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders.” Pyromania refers to the deliberate and purposeful firesetting because of fascination, pleasure or gratification related to the behavior.

Arson is a legal term used to refer to fire that was purposely started.  The person charged with arson is charged with intentional or reckless starting a fire.

Firesetter Prevention Center does not accept insurance; however you may be able to submit an insurance claim to reimburse your expenses.  FPC staff can work with you to assist in the process of filing a claim.

Firesetters are individuals who deliberately set fires.

A client who has firesetting behaviors should be evaluated to determine risks.

Firesetter evaluations should be conducted by individuals with specialty training in the assessment of firesetting. Most mental health professionals do not have experience in the area of firesetters.

An evaluation will help determine the motivation for the firesetting as well as future risk and treatment needs.