Description
Summary
Clients who struggle with chronic suicidality create unique difficulties for mental health professionals including managing recurrent crises and self-destructive behaviors, as well as navigating the emotional demands of maintaining often a complex therapeutic relationship. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective evidence-based approaches for working with chronically suicidal individuals, providing a comprehensive framework for reducing life-threatening behaviors while helping clients create lives experienced as meaningful and worth living. This webinar explores the application of DBT principles and interventions in the treatment of chronic suicidality, with particular emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a catalyst for safety and change. Participants will specifically learn how dialectical skills and strategies can be utilized to increase client engagement, regulate intense emotions and at-risk behaviors, and foster hope in the midst of persistent suffering. The presentation will address common clinical challenges, including responding to suicidal crises without reinforcing maladaptive behaviors, balancing acceptance and change strategies, and managing therapist anxiety. Through case examples and practical clinical applications, attendees will gain tools for developing a treatment relationship that supports resilience, promotes skill acquisition, and helps clients move toward a life worth living.
Learning Objectives
Participants will…
- Describe the core principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) as they apply to the assessment and treatment of chronic suicidality.
- Delineate DBT skills and strategies to strengthen therapeutic engagement and reduce suicide risk.
- Integrate DBT treatments into the therapeutic relationship to manage acute and chronic suicidal behaviors to build a life worth living.
Presenters
Shannae Anderson, Ph.D., is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist in Private Practice in Virginia and California, the Clinical Director at Monarch Recovery Intensive Outpatient Program in Ventura, CA, the Director of Psychology and Program Administrator for the American Association of Christian Counselors, and Adjunct Faculty in the Doctoral Program in Psychology at Liberty University. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, American Psychological Association, Christian Association of Psychological Studies, Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (Founding Member and President), International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders, and Society for Emotion and Attachment Study. Dr. Anderson received her B.S. in Exercise Science, her M.S. in Counseling Psychology, and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California. Dr. Anderson is an expert in her field by working clinically for over 25 years with patients who struggle with trauma, dissociation, borderline personality disorder, non-suicidal self-injury, substance use disorders and eating disorders. Dr. Anderson is a nationally recognized speaker on these topics and she is a highly sought-after consultant in these areas.
Continuing Education
Approved for APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
