Specialized Training Services

What Specialized Training Services does

Specialized Training Services (STS) is a privately held, US-based training services firm founded in 1985 and headquartered in Redondo Beach, California. The company organizes, promotes, and produces training seminars, conferences, and on-demand video courses in threat assessment, violence risk assessment, violence prevention, and forensic psychology. Its primary customers are licensed professionals and institutional buyers in the US and Canada, including law enforcement and security professionals, mental health practitioners, corporate HR and risk managers, K-12 school administrators, legal professionals, and government agencies. The catalog is anchored by a network of recognized subject matter experts including Reid Meloy (PhD, ABPP), Stephen White (PhD), and Diana Concannon (PsyD).

The product portfolio centers on two proprietary assessment instruments — the WAVR-21 (Workplace Assessment of Violence Risk), the first scientifically developed workplace violence risk instrument, now in its 3rd edition and widely referenced at Fortune 500 firms, universities, school districts, and government agencies; and Dechefr, a structured professional judgment tool that uses language learning models to analyze threatening communications and which was co-developed with researchers at Mind Intelligence Lab. Beyond these instruments, STS distributes a catalog of continuing education courses (e.g., the 18-module Power of Prevention program, Mental Health First Aid, forensic linguistics, violence extremism updates, personality disorder courses), physical books and bundles (including the ATAP CTM Body of Knowledge 6-book bundle), and customized corporate workplace violence prevention programs available in six languages.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) one-time e-commerce sales of individual courses, books, and assessment instruments priced from roughly $30 to $755, delivered via the specializedtraining.com storefront; (2) customized enterprise and group training engagements sold direct, including in-person and live-virtual sessions, train-the-trainer packages, and multi-language delivery, with quote-based multi-year contracts; and (3) licensing arrangements for the WAVR-21 electronic version and Dechefr software for organizations and certified users. The company holds four distinct accreditations — APA-approved CE sponsor, SHRM-recognition for PDCs, ASIS International Preferred CPE Provider, and IACTP recognition — that anchor its position in the regulated CE/training market for mental health, HR, and security professionals.

Name

Specialized Training Services

Legal name

Specialized Training Services, Inc.

Website

https://specializedtraining.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Specialized Training Services (founded 1985) is a privately held US training firm that produces seminars, on-demand courses, and proprietary violence risk assessment instruments (WAVR-21, Dechefr) for law enforcement, mental health professionals, corporate HR/risk managers, and school administrators in the US and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Workplace Safety Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Defensive Tactics, Use-of-Force & De-escalation Training (EDAOAMAM)

Keywords

• Violence risk assessment
• Threat assessment training
• Workplace violence prevention
• Continuing education training
• Forensic psychology training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. One-Time Course and Product Sales: Individual courses and programs are sold as one-time purchases. On-demand video recordings are available for self-paced consumption. Books and assessment instruments (e.g., WAVR-21) are sold as individual products. CE versions (with exam and certificate) are priced at a premium to video-only versions.
2. Customized Group and Corporate Training Programs: STS offers customized workplace violence prevention training programs for organizations, including in-person training, virtual sessions, train-the-trainer packages, and multi-language program customization. The company also provides live workshops on scheduled dates (e.g., Mental Health First Aid via Zoom).
3. Assessment Instrument Licensing: The WAVR-21 instrument is available with licensing options for the electronic version for organizations. The Dechefr software platform also requires a software license for certified users.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Specialized Training Services (STS) organizes, promotes, and produces training seminars, conferences, and on-demand video courses focused on threat assessment, violence risk assessment, workplace violence prevention, forensic psychology, and active assailant response. The company distributes books, assessment instruments (e.g., WAVR-21), and continuing education programs, and delivers customized multi-language corporate training programs for organizations in the US and Canada.

Product overview

Specialized Training Services offers a comprehensive portfolio of forensic and clinical training programs focused on threat assessment, violence prevention, and workplace safety. The company provides both live/virtual instructor-led training and on-demand video courses, along with books and assessment tools. Key products include the WAVR-21 assessment instrument for workplace violence risk, The Power of Prevention 18-module training program, Mental Health First Aid certification, and the Dechefr AI-powered threat communication analysis tool. The company also offers specialized books (ATAP CTM Body of Knowledge 6-book bundle, Violence Risk and Threat Assessment book) and numerous continuing education courses covering topics such as juvenile violence risk, violent extremism, personality disorders, forensic linguistics, body language/微expression training, workplace violence prevention, and insider threat. Training formats include in-person workshops, live Zoom sessions, and on-demand video recordings. The company is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists and is recognized by SHRM and ASIS International for professional development credits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WAVR-21: Workplace Assessment of Violence Risk Scientifically developed structured professional judgment instrument for assessing risk of violence in workplace, campus, and community settings using the Pathway to Violence threat assessment model. Used by Fortune 500 companies, universities, school districts, government agencies, and law enforcement.
• The Power of Prevention Premium on-demand 18-module course offering foundational education on threat assessment and management, covering pre-violence warning signs, risk factors, stressors and triggers, threat assessment lifecycle from intake to case closure, and threat management strategies. Presented by Reid Meloy, PhD, ABPP and Molly Amman, JD.
• Mental Health First Aid - Live via Zoom Skills-based live training via Zoom teaching participants how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health or substance use challenges. Includes 5-step Action Plan and trauma response training. Taught by certified instructors Lissa H Parker, PhD and Diana M. Concannon, PsyD, PCI, CTM.
• Dechefr Professional Manual Official manual for Dechefr, a structured professional judgment tool co-developed with Diana M. Concannon, PsyD, PCI, CTM and developers Lisa Kaati, PhD and Nazar Akrami, PhD of Mind Intelligence Lab. Leverages artificial intelligence, including language learning models, to assist certified users in differentiating threatening communications from those signaling greater likelihood for mobilization to violence.
• Violence Risk and Threat Assessment (Book) 230-page book reflecting the standard of practice in violence risk assessment, covering individual/psychological, social/environmental, and biological domains of violence risk. Written by Reid Meloy, PhD, ABPP.
• ATAP CTM Body of Knowledge 6-Book Bundle Six-book bundle that comprises the ATAP Certified Threat Manager (CTM) exam body of knowledge, including Threat Assessment and Management Strategies, International Handbook of Threat Assessment, Snakes in Suits, Violence Assessment and Intervention, Handbook of Violence Risk Assessment, and Evaluation for Risk of Violence in Adults.
• California Senate Bill 553 Compliance Training Workplace violence prevention plan compliance training for California employers to meet SB-553 requirements.
• Workplace Violence Prevention Program Video training program for employees and managers developed with Dr. Marc McElhaney, available in six languages (Dutch, French, Polish, Spanish, Swedish, German). Includes employee-specific training, management-specific training, active assailant training, and train-the-trainer package.
• Body Language Training Series Three-part webinar series by Dr. David Matsumoto covering gestures, illustrators, emblems, facial expressions, and nonverbal communication for threat assessment. Body Language I covers reading people, Body Language II covers facial expressions, Body Language III covers gestures.
• Microexpression Training Series Training series including Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elite Microexpression Training. Leverages behavioral science about behavioral indicators for identifying emotions and assessing veracity from deception. Presented in partnership with Humintell.
• Understanding Insider Threat 1.5-hour on-demand training providing fundamental understanding of insider threat including types, motivations, impacts, manifestations, and strategies for assessing, managing, and mitigating vulnerability. Presented by Ashleigh Diserio.
• Paranoia and Violence Training 2-hour on-demand APA-approved continuing education training on the relationship between paranoia and violence, addressing characteristics and behaviors suggestive of impending violence. Presented by Phillip Resnick, MD.
• Violent Extremism: 2021 A Threat Assessment Update 16-hour continuing education workshop covering domestic terrorism, extreme belief communities, radicalization factors, and pathways to extremist violence, including white supremacist violence, conspiracy theories (QAnon, COVID-19), and lone actor terrorism.
• Forensic & Tactical Linguistics Training Two-module interactive workshop introducing forensic and tactical linguistics, covering forensic authorship analysis, linguistic variation, and hands-on exercises. Presented by Julia Kupper.
• Testifying in Court 6.5-hour training on expert witness testimony, cross-examination techniques, and managing anxiety on the witness stand. Covers nonverbal behaviors, preparation strategies, and specific techniques for mastery. Presented by Stanley Brodsky, PhD.
• Schools at Risk Training 3.5-hour training on managing bullying, gangs, and violent females in school environments. Covers impact on learning environment, early warning signs, intervention strategies, and bully-proofing techniques. Presented by Wayne Sakamoto.
• Climate Informed Threat Assessment & Management Two-hour workshop on incorporating climate change effects into evidence-based threat assessment and management protocols. Covers how rising temperatures increase risk for interpersonal aggression and violence. Presented by Steve Crimando, MA, CTM, DRCC.
• Personality Disorders Training Series of continuing education courses covering Borderline Personality Disorder (Marsha Linehan, PhD), Obsessive-Compulsive and Histrionic Personality Disorders (Glen Gabbard, MD), and Dependent and Avoidant Personality Disorders.
• Assessing Risk of Juvenile and Young Adult Violence 3.5-hour training reviewing recent trends in youth violence, summarizing twenty years of research on violence risk factors in youth, and discussing principles for conducting effective developmentally-informed risk assessments. Presented by Randy Borum, Psy.D.
• Behavioral Indicators of Mental State 2-hour on-demand webinar by Dr. David Matsumoto on behavioral indicators that indicate critical mental states. Covers identifying emotions, cognitions, assessing veracity from deception, and identifying suspicious behavior and hostile intent.
• Customized Corporate Workplace Violence Prevention Programs Customized workplace violence prevention training programs for organizations, including in-person sessions, virtual training, train-the-trainer packages, and multi-language program customization. Includes employee-specific and management-specific training components.

Quantifiable outcome

• The WAVR-21 is in use at Fortune 500 companies, large and smaller universities, secondary school districts, government agencies, and law enforcement and security departments throughout the US and Canada.

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• ASIS InternationalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI): Crisis Prevention Institute offers training programs in nonviolent crisis intervention, de-escalation, and workplace violence prevention for healthcare, education, and human services. Directly comparable to STS as a specialized training provider targeting safety/HR/clinical professionals with certification and continuing education.
• CALMS (Crisis, Aggression, Limiting, Management, Stabilization): Provides workplace violence and crisis intervention training for healthcare and human services workers. Comparable in targeting credentialed professionals with de-escalation and prevention coursework.
• SIGMA Threat Management Associates: Threat assessment and threat management consulting/training firm serving schools, workplaces, and law enforcement. Comparable in offering structured professional judgment training tied to assessment frameworks, with similar faculty/SME positioning.
• Behavioral Analysis Solutions: Threat assessment consulting and training provider offering structured professional judgment tools and case-based training. Comparable niche to STS in violence risk assessment workforce training.

Broad incumbents

• ASIS International: Global association for security professionals offering its own certifications, training, and conferences. STS is an ASIS Preferred CPE Provider, so ASIS both legitimizes STS's offerings and competes for the same training wallet of corporate security teams.
• Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA): Threat assessment and protective intelligence consultancy serving high-profile and enterprise clients, with associated training/education programs. Comparable in the threat assessment methodology space though larger and more consultancy-led than STS's training-led model.
• Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR): Publisher of psychological and behavioral assessment instruments used by mental health professionals. Comparable to STS in distributing proprietary assessment tools (like WAVR-21) to clinical and corporate customers.

Emerging players

• ALIVE Active Shooter Survival Training: Active shooter and workplace violence training provider for corporate, government, and education customers. Comparable in targeting the same compliance and preparedness buyer, with stronger emphasis on the active assailant segment of STS's catalog.
• ProActive Responses: Workplace violence prevention and threat assessment consulting/training firm. Comparable niche to STS in serving HR, security, and law enforcement with structured training programs.
• National Center for Crisis Management: Provides training and consulting on crisis response, threat assessment, and workplace violence prevention. Comparable in the same training category targeting corporate and institutional buyers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookm.facebook.com/specializedtrainingservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/specialized-training-services
• Instagraminstagram.com/specializedtrainings/?igsh=MW52aTN2NjJ0bDd6eQ%3D%3D

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Specialized Training Services