Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP) Via Zoom

This intensive 2-day module provides training in the assessment and treatment of suicidal ideation and behavior.  Participants will receive in-depth training in cognitive-behavioral therapy for suicide prevention and will have the opportunity to practice assessment and intervention strategies.  Video demonstrations and participant role-plays will be used in class to practice key assessment and treatment techniques. The module lays the foundation for working with suicidal patients by providing a detailed review of the epidemiology of suicide both in the civilian population and within the military/veteran community. Participants will be introduced to the Self-Directed Violence Classification System (SDVCS), a nomenclature supported by the DoD/VA for self-directed violence and suicidal behavior. In addition, a review of several theories of suicide will be covered as well as a risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior.  The module is designed for behavioral health providers working with Service members and Veterans who are seeking in-depth training in empirically supported treatment options they can immediately incorporate into their clinical practice.  The training will provide hands on practice activities and is geared towards an actively involved audience through discussion and in workshop activities.  Participants must attend both days, as the course material is cumulative.

Attendance will be tracked using the Zoom platform, and 100% attendance is required to qualify for CEs.​

Course Level: Introductory

Learning Objectives: 

• Differentiate between rates of suicide in civilian and military populations and identify the clinical implications of these differences.
• Categorize suicidal and non-suicidal thoughts and behaviors in relation to clinical assessment.
• Communicate several warning signs for suicide that inform decisions about clinical interventions.
• Apply at least one psychological theory of suicide to the process of clinical assessment and treatment planning.
• Incorporate suicide risk and protective factors unique to military populations into overall risk assessment for suicide.
• Scrutinize unique challenges associated with suicide risk assessment and prediction in the clinical setting.
• Assess risk for suicide in a manner that is sensitive to both proximal and distal risk factors.
• Collaborate with a patient to complete a safety plan.
• Use means safety counseling in patient interactions to improve clinical outcomes.
• Create a timeline of a patient's suicidal crisis for use in treatment.
• Evaluate key negative thoughts associated with the intent to die by suicide as related to clinical practice.
• Apply CBT formulation of suicide using the expanded case conceptualization model of the suicidal crisis.
• Implement cognitive, behavioral and affective coping strategies utilized in CBT-SP to help patients cope with suicide urges.
• Characterize the modifications to standard behavioral activation when applied within the CBT-SP protocol.
• Utilize the guided imagery exercise as part of the relapse prevention protocol for CBT-SP.

Agenda:

Day One
0900 – 0930 Check-In
0930 – 0945 Introduction & Course Overview
0945 – 1015 Epidemiology of Suicide
1015 – 1045 Nomenclature
1045 – 1115 Risk and Protective Factors
1115 – 1130 Co-Morbid Conditions
1130 – 1145 Break
1145 – 1210 Theoretical Underpinnings: Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicide Risk – Dr. Thomas Joiner
1210 – 1230 Theoretical Underpinnings: Three-Step Theory of Suicide – Drs. David Klonsky and Alexis May
1230 – 1300 The Case of Katrina
1300 – 1320 Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention – Empirical Support for CBT
1320 – 1420 Lunch
1420 – 1500 Intro to Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention
   Theory of CBT
   Structure of treatment
   Session structure
1500 – 1510 CBT for Suicide Prevention, Early Phase of Treatment – Overview
1510 – 1530 Fluid Vulnerability Theory
1530 – 1545 Break
1545 – 1625 CBT for Suicide Prevention, Early Phase of Treatment –
   Conducting a Suicide Risk Assessment
   Suicide Risk Assessment Role Play
   Suicide Risk Assessment Template
   Suicide Risk Continuum
1625 – 1655 Narrative Description
1655 – 1700 Questions and wrap-up
1700 Adjourn

Day Two
0900 – 0930 Check-In
0930 – 1000 Nomenclature Homework Review
1000 – 1045 Crisis Intervention
   Hospitalization
   Safety Planning
   Hope Box
1045 – 1145 Means Safety/Means Restriction Counseling
1145 – 1200 Break
1200 – 1230 Constructing a Timeline
1230 – 1315 Treatment Planning and Cognitive Case Conceptualization
1315 – 1415 Lunch
1415 – 1530 Intermediate Phase of Treatment
   Behavioral Strategies
   Coping Strategies
1530 – 1545 Break
1545 – 1645 Intermediate Phase of Treatment Continued 
Cognitive Strategies
1645 – 1745 Later Phase of Treatment –
   Review and Consolidation of Skills
   Relapse Prevention
   Review of Goals and Treatment Planning
1745 – 1800 Questions
1800 Adjourn

This activity is approved for 13.5 continuing education credits (CEs)

The Center for Deployment Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center for Deployment Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.