Safety Planning with Suicidal Clients
Video
with
John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD
Video

Safety Planning with Suicidal Clients

Learn skills for building an effective safety plan with your suicidal clients that includes the creation of a safe environment, recognizing warning signs, identifying peer and community resources, and choosing an alternative environment.   Video length: 12m
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Overview

“No-suicide contracts are out, safety planning is in.” Working with suicidal clients is the single greatest clinical and ethical challenge faced by any therapist. The traditionally used no-suicide contract—while a comfort for therapists—has not proven to be an effective clinical tool. In this short video suicide expert John Sommers Flanagan demonstrates a more effective alternative: Collaborative Safety Planning.

Watch Flanagan as he works with 15-year-old Kennedy to develop a practical plan to mitigate her active suicidal ideation. See how much better it feels, and how well the client responds to a truly collaborative effort versus a top-down “contractual” approach. By watching this live demonstration you will learn how to integrate this highly-effective tool into your own treatment planning that is centered around externalization of suicidal thoughts, engagement with life, capitalizing on hope and faith, and strengthening family ties and support.

About the Experts

John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD
Expert

John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD

John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD, is a professor of counselor education at the University of Montana. In addition to teaching, research, and supervision, John also has a small independent practice. Previously, he was a clinical psychologist and mental health consultant with Trapper Creek Job Corps and served as executive director of Families First Parenting Programs from 1995 to 2003. John was also a co-host of a radio talk-show on Montana Public Radio titled, “What is it with Men?” Primarily specializing in working…

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John Sommers-Flanagan was compensated for his contribution. None of his books or additional offerings are required for any of the Psychotherapy.net content. Should such materials be referenced, it is as an additional resource. 

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