A client who shares their desire to end their life can be one the most challenging things a clinician will have to engage with. Working with a suicidal client can be even more difficult due to the strong emotions that will be evoked in the therapist. In this training, we will explore the ethics surrounding the assessment and treatment of suicidality in clients.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand risk factors for suicidality
- Identify protective factors for suicidality
- Describe ways to assess for suicidality
- Describe ways to manage suicidality
- Understand legal and ethical considerations surrounding suicidal clients
Syllabus:
Objective #1: Legal and Ethical Considerations
- Understand the difference between best practices and prediction of suicide
- Address clinician fears about malpractice and liability
- Explore the risks of overestimating vs underestimating suicide risk
- Emphasize transparency, informed consent, and client autonomy
- Clarify limits of confidentiality and procedures for emergency referrals
- Discuss the standard of care and the role of clinical judgment in risk management
Objective #2: Risk Factors for Suicidality
- Identify individual risk factors including mental illness, substance use, and prior attempts
- Recognize behavioral and mood indicators such as isolation, agitation, and giving away possessions
- Understand relationship-related risks like family conflict or loss
- Explore community and societal risk factors including discrimination, lack of access, and stigma
Objective #3: Protective Factors for Suicidality
- Identify individual strengths such as coping skills and a sense of purpose
- Recognize relationship supports from family, friends, and community ties
- Explore cultural, moral, and religious beliefs that discourage suicide
- Assess internal and external factors that enhance resilience
Objective #4: Assessing for Suicidality
- Define suicide risk assessments and their role in clinical practice
- Ensure assessments are culturally sensitive, exploratory, and collaborative
- Follow a five-step assessment process: identify risk factors, identify protective factors, conduct inquiry, determine risk level, and determine intervention
- Ask about suicidal thoughts, plans, behaviors, intent, and ambivalence
- Assess recent behavior and historical attempts with open-ended, empathy-based questions
Objective #5: Managing Suicidality
- Match intervention to risk level (low, moderate, high)
- Coordinate with crisis services, care teams, and emergency contacts
- Support clients in developing safety plans with personalized coping strategies and emergency resources
- Use documentation to detail assessment rationale, consultations, interventions, and next steps
- Reinforce protective factors and promote engagement in ongoing care
Objective #6: Ethical Considerations and Clinician Countertransference
- Understand the emotional toll of working with suicidal clients
- Explore countertransference responses such as fear, helplessness, and overcompensation
- Reflect on personal and professional reactions to client suicidality or suicide attempts
- Discuss ways to care for clinicians, including consultation, supervision, and emotional self-awareness
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: July 7, 2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com