Don Robinson, CTM

Don Robinson, CTM is the founder of Clinical Security Solutions LLC in Spokane, Washington. After 23 years with the FBI, much of it as a crisis negotiator, Don Robinson builds behavioral threat assessment programs and workplace violence prevention for healthcare organizations and other employers.

About Don Robinson

Don Robinson retired from the FBI in 2015 after 23 years of service. His investigative work covered counterterrorism, organized crime and narcotics, and he became a recognized expert in crisis negotiation, behavioral threat assessment and management, verbal de escalation and workplace violence prevention, with extensive crisis management and response experience.

Through Clinical Security Solutions he provides behavioral threat assessment and management, a virtual threat manager service, clinical violence prevention for the healthcare sector, crisis response management and crisis communications, analysis of ideologically based threats, critical incident aftercare, policy review and gap analysis, training and curriculum development, and investigations, intelligence analysis and research.

Don Robinson is a Certified Threat Manager (CTM) and an active member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). He has trained foreign and domestic government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement and security entities, healthcare organizations, social service agencies and community nonprofits, and he publishes the Left Of Boom newsletter on workplace violence and threat management.

What Don Robinson focuses on

Behavioral threat assessment

Behavioral threat assessment focuses on identifying people of concern early and managing the situation before it escalates. Don Robinson helps organizations set up teams, processes and documentation that support fair, consistent and effective decisions.

Workplace violence prevention

Workplace violence rarely comes without warning signs. Don Robinson helps organizations put the pieces in place to recognize and respond to them: clear policy, reporting channels, threat assessment, training for supervisors and staff, and coordination with human resources, legal and law enforcement. The goal is a program people understand and trust before a crisis, not after one. You can also browse other workplace violence prevention consultants in the directory.

Healthcare security

Hospitals and clinics face a unique mix of risks: emergency department violence, behavioral health patients, infant security, controlled substances and open public access around the clock. Don Robinson brings experience with the standards and practices that apply to healthcare settings, helping leaders protect patients, visitors and staff while keeping care accessible.

De escalation training

Don Robinson teaches practical de escalation skills that help staff recognize rising tension, communicate calmly and create time and distance so that tense encounters end safely.

Security training

Don Robinson develops and delivers training for security officers, supervisors, employees and leadership teams. Sessions are built around real scenarios and the organization’s own policies, so that the skills carry over to daily work and to the rare moments when they matter most.

Emergency management

Don Robinson supports emergency management programs from planning through recovery, including continuity planning, coordination with public agencies and after action reviews that turn lessons into better plans.

Credentials at a glance

• CTM (Certified Threat Manager)
• Retired FBI Special Agent, 23 years of service (retired 2015)
• Recognized crisis negotiator
• Counterterrorism, organized crime and narcotics investigations
• Member, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
• Publisher of the Left Of Boom newsletter

Credentials matter because they are earned, not bought. Board certifications from ASIS International and designations from the International Association of Professional Security Consultants require documented experience, a rigorous exam or peer review, and ongoing professional education. When you compare consultants, ask which credentials each holds, who issued them and whether they are current.

How Don Robinson approaches an engagement

Start with the facts

Every engagement begins with understanding the specific site, organization or case. Don Robinson reviews the available documents, incident history and current practices before forming any opinion, so that recommendations fit the real situation rather than a generic checklist.

Measure against recognized standards

Findings are grounded in recognized industry guidelines, professional standards and lessons learned from comparable sites and incidents. That makes recommendations easier to defend in front of a board, an insurer, a regulator or a court.

Practical, prioritized recommendations

Clients receive clear findings ranked by risk, with practical steps that range from quick policy and training changes to longer term investments in design and technology. The aim is real improvement that the organization can afford and sustain.

Clear communication

Executives, attorneys and front line staff all need to understand the findings. Don Robinson explains technical issues in plain language and is available to walk leadership or counsel through the results.

Who Don Robinson works with

Don Robinson works with hospitals and healthcare systems, employers, schools and universities, government agencies, law enforcement and security organizations, social service agencies and community nonprofits.

Signs it is time for a security review

• A recent incident, threat or near miss on the property or in the organization
• A new building, renovation, change of use or expansion
• Concerns raised by employees, tenants, guests, insurers or auditors
• Security policies and post orders that have not been reviewed in years
• Cameras, access control or alarms that were installed piece by piece without a plan
• Litigation, a claim or a demand letter that questions the adequacy of security

If any of these apply, an independent review by a consultant such as Don Robinson can show where the real gaps are and which fixes matter most.

Why an independent security consultant matters

Independent consultants are paid for their judgment, not for selling products or staffing hours. That independence lets Don Robinson give candid advice about what is working, what is not and what is worth the investment. For attorneys, independence and recognized credentials are what make an expert opinion credible. For organizations, it means recommendations that are sized to the actual risk rather than to a sales target.

Professional bodies such as ASIS International and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) set credentials and ethical standards for this work, and clients increasingly look for those markers when choosing an expert.

Questions to ask before hiring a security consultant

• What experience do you have with properties, organizations or cases like ours?
• Which professional certifications do you hold, and from which bodies?
• Are you independent, or do you sell products or services you might recommend?
• What will the final deliverable look like, and who will see it?
• How is the fee structured, and what is included?
• For litigation: how often have you testified, and for which side?

A good consultant will welcome these questions. Don Robinson can walk you through credentials, experience and approach in a short first conversation.

Frequently asked questions

When should an organization bring in a security consultant?

The best time is before an incident: during planning for a new building or renovation, after a change in leadership or operations, when an audit or insurer raises concerns, or when staff report growing worries about safety. A consultant can also help after an incident, reviewing what happened and what should change.

What does an independent security consultant provide that a vendor cannot?

An independent consultant does not sell guards, cameras or alarm equipment, so recommendations are based only on the client’s risk and needs. That independence is also why attorneys and courts give weight to the opinions of independent experts.

What happens during a typical engagement with Don Robinson?

Most engagements include an initial conversation, a review of documents and history, a site visit or case review where appropriate, and a written report or opinion. The scope, timeline and fee are agreed at the start so there are no surprises.

Does Don Robinson work outside Washington?

Yes. Don Robinson is based in Spokane, Washington, and supports organizations across the United States, including through virtual threat management services. Reach out with the location and scope of your project to discuss availability.

How much does a security assessment or expert review cost?

Fees depend on the size and complexity of the property or case, the amount of material to review, travel and whether testimony is needed. Most consultants work on an hourly basis or a fixed project fee agreed in advance. Ask Don Robinson for an estimate once the scope is clear, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.

How long does a review usually take?

A focused site assessment or case review can often be completed in a few weeks, while larger programs, multiple sites or complex litigation take longer. Court deadlines and board meetings can usually be accommodated when they are shared at the start, so mention any dates in your first message.

How do I contact Don Robinson?

Use the contact form on this page to send a message directly, or visit Clinical Security Solutions LLC. Include a short description of your property, organization or case, the type of help you need and your timeline.

Working with Don Robinson

Most engagements start with a short conversation about the situation, the questions that need answers and any deadlines. From there, Don Robinson recommends a clear scope, whether that is an assessment, a program review, training or expert witness support.

What to prepare before your first call

A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Have a short description of the property, organization or case ready, note any recent incidents, claims or deadlines, and gather existing documents such as security plans, policies, prior assessments or pleadings. With that information, Don Robinson can quickly suggest the right next step.

Every inquiry sent through Find a Security Consultant goes straight to the consultant. There is no fee to contact Don Robinson, no middleman and no obligation, and your message stays private between you and the consultant. If the fit is not right, you can reach out to other consultants in the directory or post a project to receive several proposals at once.

If you are comparing several consultants, you can also request proposals from vetted security consultants, or read our physical security assessment cost guide before you decide.