Suicide Prevention: Clinical Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals ages 10-24.

Join us Friday, September 27, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM for “Suicide Prevention: Clinical Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices,” an impactful continuing education presentation focusing on practical, compassionate strategies for screening, assessment, treatment, and prevention of suicide in both adolescents and adults.

Participants have the opportunity to earn three Continuing Education Units.

“Suicide Prevention: Clinical Tools, Techniques, and Best Practices” is sponsored by the Tri-County Collaborative, a full continuum of care serving the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents and families in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties. The Tri-County Collaborative is comprised of Casa Pacifica, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Engage Treatment, and Mission Harbor Behavioral Health.

Presentations

Working with Suicidal Teens, by Jessica Mahn, LMFT, & Peggy Matson, PhD, LMFT

• This presentation will focus on effective therapeutic interventions for working with suicidal teens, emphasizing the importance of building trust, conducting thorough risk assessments and safety planning, and using evidence-based treatments in their treatment plans. It also will highlight strategies for supporting parents by educating them about recognizing warning signs, implementing safety plans, and maintaining open communication to foster a supportive home environment.

Suicide Prevention in Adults, by David Kerrigan, PhD, LCSW

• This presentation will discuss aspects of suicidality in adults, different ways to approach clients about the topic of suicide, and different ways in which clients approach the idea of suicide. The topic of countertransference and the therapist’s and supervisor’s parallel processes will be addressed. The presentation will focus on the application of theoretical and research knowledge to the clinical encounter, with clinical vignettes.

The Edge of Life Model (ELM), by Amanda M. Rowan, LCSW

• The Edge of Life Model (ELM) is a humanistic, phenomenological approach to treating suicidality that is holistic, practical, and grounded in evidence-based practices. ELM is the culmination of more than a decade of research, exploration, and personal experiences as both a clinician and a client impacted by suicide. Reviewing and incorporating the best practices from current models of suicide prevention, ELM expands those to add the critical discussion and support for the intense experience of the therapist holding the space of pain that a client who is considering ending their life is feeling. Unlike other procedural-based approaches, ELM is a framework that allows the therapist to address all the essential components of the standard of care while also allowing the therapist to integrate their own clinical orientation in a pragmatic way that addresses each client’s unique needs.

Continuing Education

Psychologists | Casa Pacifica is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Casa pacifica maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

LMFT, LCSW, LEP, and LPCC | Casa Pacifica is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs (Provider #016190). Casa Pacifica maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Please visit casapacifica.org/training for a list of our policies.