Rate My Professor Tony Ward

Professor Tony Ward is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, in the School of Psychological Sciences. He holds an MA (Hons), PhD, and Diploma in Clinical Psychology (DipClinPsyc) from the University of Canterbury. A registered clinical psychologist, Ward is a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi (FRSNZ) and Fellow of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA). In 2021, he was awarded the Mason Durie Medal by Royal Society Te Apārangi for pioneering research in correctional rehabilitation. Ward has held academic appointments in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, working in clinical and forensic fields since 1993. At Victoria University of Wellington, he previously served as Head of the School of Psychology and currently directs the clinical training programme. He teaches courses in clinical psychology.

Ward's research specializations include the explanation of psychopathology, normative issues in clinical practice, change processes in forensic and correctional domains, and offender rehabilitation. He originated the Good Lives Model, a strengths-based framework for offender treatment that prioritizes personal goods and well-being alongside risk reduction, influencing global correctional practices. With over 450 publications, his highly cited works encompass 'The good lives model of offender rehabilitation: Clinical implications' (2007), 'An integrated theory of sexual offending' (2006), 'Toward a comprehensive theory of child sexual abuse: A theory knitting perspective' (2002), 'Theories of sexual offending' (2006), and 'Rehabilitation, etiology, and self-regulation: The comprehensive good lives model of treatment for sexual offenders' (2006). Ward contributes to editorial boards and professional committees, translating causal theories into practical frameworks for correctional psychology. His scholarship bridges theory and practice, advancing ethical rehabilitation strategies worldwide.