Suicide: Effective Risk Assessment and Intervention

Suicide: Effective Risk Assessment and Intervention is organized by California Psychological Association (CPA).

Start Date: 5/1/2024
End Date: 12/1/2024

Description:
Suicide is the most common psychological emergency that therapists will encounter, and it is on the rise. For mental health professionals with an active clinical practice, suicide is an occupational hazard that can be both emotionally and practically devastating. Recent research has identified suicide-specific therapies that are effective in treating both suicidal ideation and behavior. Most therapists are not aware of them nor have they been trained in them, so most suicidal clients do not receive these potentially lifesaving treatments. This online course with suicidologist Dr. Lisa Firestone will provide an invaluable opportunity for therapists to become familiar with risk assessment and effective crisis interventions, as well as empirically validated, evidence-based treatments for suicide that are fast becoming the standard of care.

After This Workshop You Will Be Able to:

• Identify the most important techniques/tools for assessing suicidal risk
• Implement effective state-of-the-art crisis interventions for suicidal patients that will allow clinicians to practice to the standard of care
• Recognize innovative and effective suicide therapies that will allow clinicians to be more effective with suicidal clients
• Find effective coping strategies for the emotional impact of working with clients who attempt suicide and actually die by suicide

Course Outline:

• Introduction: Demographics of Suicide
• Theory: Our Approach to Suicide
• Development of Risk
• How Suicide Occurs
• Risk Factors & Warning Signs
• Assessment
• Safety Planning/Crisis Intervention
• Practice Recommendations/Standards of Care
• Patient-Oriented Approaches to Working with Suicidal People
• Effective Brief Interventions
• Additional Treatment Approaches
• Conclusion: Key Take-Away Points
• Resources