Suicide is so much more than a simple cry for help. Psychologist and counselor-educator John Sommers-Flanagan believes that suicidal ideation and behavior reflect the painful convergence of social isolation and deep emotional distress. Urging you not to be guided by clinical myths or outdated lore in our assessment and treatment of suicidal clients, he clearly and systematically teaches you how to intervene collaboratively and empathetically rather than from a position of authority and anxiety. Rich clinical demonstrations with suicidal clients will guide you in your practice to explore and mitigate risk factors by uncovering protective, life-affirming, and hope-centered resources.
In the course of demonstrating these powerful strategies, Dr. Sommers-Flanagan shows you how to effectively use the Mood Rating Scale and mindfulness meditation in your own clinical work with suicidal clients. By watching him and then practicing these and other strategies, you will begin focusing on meaningful life events and potential sources of pleasure as counterpoint to your clients’ suicidal ideation.
You will also gain a clear working knowledge of the seven dimensions of suicidality which include unbearable distress or “psyche-ache,” agitation, problem-solving impairment, social isolation/alienation, hopelessness; intent, desensitization, and lethal means. Additionally, you will begin mastery of the eight clinical tasks for working with suicidal clients which include connecting and collaborating, monitoring and managing our reactions, applying psychoeducation, collaborating on and constructing treatment and safety plans, consulting with other professionals, and documenting. Finally, Dr. Sommers-Flanagan will skillfully guide you in the delicate process of integrating your client’s unique cultural beliefs, practices and worldviews into your shared assessment, treatment and safety planning.
By watching this interview, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate the assessment and treatment skills necessary to work compassionately and collaboratively with suicidal clients
- Apply the the seven clinical tasks and eight dimensions of suicidality in your clinical work with suicidal clients
- Incorporate the suicidal client’s culture-bound beliefs and behaviors into your clinical work with them
Length of video: 3:34:26
English subtitles available
Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-553-X
Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-553-3
John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD, is a professor of counselor education at the University of Montana. He is also a clinical psychologist and mental health consultant with Trapper Creek Job Corps. He served as executive director of Families First Parenting Programs from 1995 to 2003 and was previously co-host of a radio talk-show on Montana Public Radio titled, “What is it with Men?”
Primarily specializing in working with children, parents, and families, John is author or coauthor of over 50 professional publications and nine books. Some of his latest books, co-written with his wife Rita, include How to Listen so Parents will Talk and Talk so Parents will Listen (John Wiley & Sons, 2011) and Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice (2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2012), Clinical Interviewing (5th ed., Wiley, 2014), and Tough Kids, Cool Counseling (2nd ed., ACA, 2007). In his wild and precious spare time, John loves to run (slowly), dance (poorly), laugh (loudly) and produce home-made family music videos.
CE credits: 3.5
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the core skills in working collaboratively with suicidal clients
- Apply the the seven clinical tasks in your clinical work with suicidal clients
- Plan treatment with suicidal client that incorporate culture-bound beliefs
Bibliography available upon request
This course is offered for ASWB ACE credit for social workers. See complete list of CE approvals here
© 2018
Course Reviewed January 2023