Borderline, suicidal, and self-harming clients are some of the most challenging populations therapists face. Regardless of our level of clinical expertise, it’s crucial to master risk assessment, working with ambivalent clients, and managing reactivity—all while staying centered ourselves. The venerable DBT creator Marsha Linehan delivers with this powerful two-video set featuring a reenactment of a course of therapy with a suicidal client.
In Volume 2, Linehan follows up with her “client” Stacy in a charged session focused on diffusing cutting behavior and understanding her suicidal motives. From the start, Linehan remains calm and firm, as her client has recently cut herself in response to a perceived empathic failure. You’ll observe how Linehan addresses the rupture while also inquiring into Stacy’s motivations and emphasizing the misguided nature of her reaction. Under these highly charged conditions, Linehan manages to do all this in a warm, compassionate way that affirms Stacy’s autonomy and gently challenges her to envision more adaptive coping skills.
Linehan’s direct, plain-spoken style demystifies DBT as well as disarms her client. Building on Volume 1, Linehan returns to her DBT toolbox, adding in some chain analysis and problem-solving techniques for good measure. By session’s end, Stacy has agreed to refrain from both suicide and cutting while they work on her goals together.
Those seeking a live demonstration of DBT, proven resources for working with suicidality, self-harming, or borderline clients, or an overview of the model from the originator herself should take a look at this video.
