65th Annual Conference

Friday, February 22

Morning Open Sessions

10:00 A.M.-1:15 P.M.

Session 308

Surviving the Suicide of a Group Member

Chair: 

Jerome S. Gans, M.D., CGP, FAGPA, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Panelists:      

Karsten Kueppenbender, M.D., CGP, Private Practice, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Siobhan O'Neill, M.D., Private Practice, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Suicide evokes powerful reactions in therapists and patients. What happens when a group member suicides? Drs. O’Neill and Kueppenbender will present material from groups in the aftermath of suicide. Dr. Gans will discuss the cases. A demonstration group and audience discussion will highlight important concepts.

Learning Objectives:

The attendee will be able to:

1. Differentiate stages of coping with the suicide of a group member.
2. List important self-care strategies for therapists surviving a suicide.
3. Describe interventions for suicide prevention.
4. Explain the important role of supervision in the aftermath of suicide.
 

Course References:

1. Simon, R.I. and Hales, E.H. (Eds.) (2006) Textbook of Suicide Assessment and Management. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
2. Hendin H, Haas AP, Maltsberger JT, Koestner B, Szanto K. (2006) Problems in psychotherapy with suicidal patients. Am J Psychiatry, 163, 67-72.
3. Kobler, A.L. and Stotland, E (1964) The End of Hope. A Social-Clinical Theory of Suicide. New York, NY: The Free Press of Glencoe.