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Digital Seminar

Listening to Suicidal Clients: How to Move Beyond Fear and Defensive Practice


Faculty:
Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW
Duration:
1 Hour 57 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Mar 30, 2022
Product Code:
NOS096195
Media Type:
Digital Seminar
Access:
Never expires.


Description

One of therapists’ greatest fears is losing a client to suicide. That’s not surprising, considering the grief and self-doubt that can follow, plus the possibility of a lawsuit or board complaint. The fear of client suicide can lead to “defensive practise,” in which therapists interrogate clients about their suicidal thoughts, pursue emergency care when it’s not truly needed, or take other actions to protect themselves legally and emotionally rather than to meet the clients’ needs. In this recording, you’ll learn to:

  • Understand healthy versus unhealthy fears about client suicide
  • Identify client-centred rather than fear-based practices with someone who has suicidal thoughts
  • Work as an ally, not an adversary, when a client is at risk for suicide
  • Feel less afraid and anxious with clients who have suicidal thoughts

CPD


CPD

PESI Australia, in collaboration with PESI in the USA, offers quality online continuing professional development events from the leaders in the field at a standard recognized by professional associations including psychology, social work, occupational therapy, alcohol and drug professionals, counselling and psychotherapy. On completion of the training, a Professional Development Certificate is issued after the individual has answered and submitted a quiz and course evaluation. This program is worth 2 hours CPD for points calculation by your association.



Handouts

Faculty

Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW's Profile

Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW Related seminars and products


Stacey Freedenthal, PhD, LCSW, is an associate professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and a psychotherapist in private practice. She’s the author of Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals and created the website Speaking of Suicide.
 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Stacey Freedenthal is a psychotherapist and consultant in private practice and has an employment relationship with the University of Denver. She has a family member with an employment relationship with LivingWorks. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Freedenthal receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from Psychotherapy Networker and PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Stacey Freedenthal is a member of the International Association of Suicide Prevention, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Association of Suicidology. She uses CBT, CAMS, ACT, and other evidence-based suicide prevention strategies in her presentation.


Objectives

  1. Evaluate the concept of “defensive practice” in the context of treating clients at risk for suicide.
  2. Analyze at least four fear-based practices often used with clients who have suicidal thoughts.
  3. Practice at least four client-centred practices for use with clients who have suicidal thoughts.
  4. Assess at least two ways that therapists can improve their competency when working with clients at risk for suicide.

Outline

  • Fears that commonly occur when therapists work with a client who has suicidal thoughts
  • Understanding the issues with “Defensive practice”
  • Examples of defensive practice & other fear-based techniques with suicidal clients
  • Examples of client-centred practice with suicidal clients
  • Practices for managing fear with suicidal clients

Target Audience

  • Psychologists
  • Physicians
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Art Therapists
  • Nurses
  • Other Behavioral Health Professionals

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