Meagan N. Houston – Suicidal Clients and Self-Harm Behaviors: Clinical Strategies to Confidently Address Two of the Most Daunting (and Potentially Lethal) Scenarios You’ll Work With

Outline

Clients at Risk:

Co-Occurring Disorders and Special Populations

• Depressive disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Trauma and stressor related disorders
• Substance-related and addictive disorders
• Risks in special population groups
  • adolescents, veterans, LGBTQ, and the elderly

The Relationship between Suicide and Self-Destructive Behavior

• Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI)
• The latest research on what drives self-harming behavior
• Is self-harm an attention-seeking behavior?
• Does self-harm lead to suicide?
  • The question of intent
  • Maladaptive coping mechanisms and avoidance
• Clinical screening approach for NSSI

Legally Sound Suicide Risk Assessment

• 10 essential components of a thorough risk assessment
• Chronic and acute risk factors
• Distinguishing morbid ideation vs. suicidal ideation
• Imminent/chronic suicide risk
• Self-care and consultation
• Formal assessment tools for suicide

Manage Self-Harm Behaviors and Build Functional Coping Skills in Your Clients

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Teach clients techniques to increase awareness of impulsive behavior
• Communication and expressing avoided emotions
• Replacement behaviors
• Research limitations and treatment risks of psychotherapeutic approaches

Suicidal Behavior Treatment Strategies: CBT, DBT and Crisis Management Skills

• Strategies to manage countertransference
• Integrate the four key elements of crisis intervention into treatment
• Strategies from CBT and DBT
• Psychopharmacological intervention and management
• Long-term care concerns and strategies
• Tele-therapy & Social media
  • APA Guidelines
  • Texting – should you?
  • What to do when the suicidal client contacts you by phone/social media?
• Research limitations and treatment risks of psychotherapeutic approaches

When (and How) to Hospitalize Clients

• Ethical, legal implications and case studies
• Confidentiality and minor clients
• Informed consent and state-specific laws
• Voluntary vs. involuntary commitment
• When and how to use law enforcement

Please Note: PESI is not affiliated or associated with Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, or her organizations.