PROFESSIONAL
DANGEROUSNESS

Professional Dangerousness is a term coined by the late Tony Morrison to describe “the process whereby professionals involved in Child Protection work can behave in a way which either colludes with or increases the dangerous dynamics of the abusing family.” (Morrison, 1990).

At The PD Collective, we elaborate further, emphasizing Professional Dangerousness (PD) as a vital concept relevant to all human service providers, underscoring how professionals can inadvertently contribute to the challenging family dynamics they aim to help.
 
You might notice it in the small moments, such as:

• Choosing to avoid difficult conversations because conflict makes you uncomfortable

• Losing connection to your “why” for choosing this work

• Putting someone at the bottom of your to-do list because they’re hard to engage

 
PD manifests in individuals, teams, organizations, and their broader systems, affecting mental health and efficacy. Addressing PD promotes a culture of care, effectiveness, and ethical practice.