The Practical Art of Suicide Assessment: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and Substance Abuse Counselors
The Practical Art of Suicide Assessment: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and Substance Abuse Counselors
Penned with a compelling elegance and charm, the “Practical Art of Suicide Assessment” is brimming with clinical wisdom, enlightening case illustrations and a vibrant sense of compassion. Viewed as one of the classics in the field of mental health, and acclaimed by both beginning students and experienced clinicians alike, it describes in a step-by-step fashion exactly how to make a sound suicide assessment. Dr. Shea explores the causes of suicidal ideation as well as the nuances of risk actors, protective factors, and the complexities of the clinical formulation of risk. He skillfully integrates all of this information for the reader by using real-life case examples and addressing daunting clinical challenges head-on such as assessing suicide risk with clients coping with borderline personality disorder or psychotic process. In addition Dr. Shea brings to life the highly acclaimed interview strategy for uncovering suicidal ideation, planning, behavior and intent the “Chronological Assessment of Suicide Events (CASE Approach)”. Dr. Shea, the originator of the CASE Approach, shows exactly how to creatively and flexibly use its innovative interviewing techniques to match the unique needs of every client. The CASE Approach has been described by the noted suicidologist and past President of the American Association of Suicidology, David Jobes, Ph.D. as follows: “The CASE Approach moves the clinician almost imperceptibly into the secret internal workings of the mind and soul of the patient tormented by suicidal ideation. I believe that the CASE Approach is a remarkable conceptual and clinical contribution to the field of suicidology. It should be taught to any front-line clinician. It has the power to meaningfully save lives.” Dr. Shea concludes the book with a no-nonsense approach to documenting a suicide risk assessment that can both help to save a client’s life as well as keep the clinician out of court. Respected across the globe, the Practical Art of Suicide Assessment has been translated into languages as diverse as French and Japanese. Mental Health Presses is pleased to re-issue this classic in contemporary suicide prevention (originally published in 2002).
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Monica J. Indart, Psy.D said,
Wrote on July 28, 2011 @ 1:23 am
A REAL “Must-Read” for All Clinicians,
Shawn Shea’s The Practical Art of Suicide Assessment: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals and Substance Abuse Counselors is one of the most valuable professional texts I have read in the past decade. The book combines scholarship, practical guidelines and a literary quality that renders it a truly exceptional book in the field. I found the case examples used to illustrate clinical problems invaluable; these vignettes bring the theoretical material “alive” in a way that encourages clinicians from various disciplines and theoretical orientations to meaningfully incorporate the concepts. Shea elucidates such critical issues as risk factors and risk predictors in such a way as to make constructs that are often reifed once again meaningful. As part of my professional responsibilities, I am responsible for training/teaching mental health emergency clinicians aspects of clinical interviewing and suicide assessment. I have incorporated many of the principles in this book into these trainings. The CASE approach to suicidal assessment is perhaps the best approach to this complex task that I have found. The discussion on “contracting for safety/no suicide contracts” is relevant, congruent with current ethical and legal principles, and reflects the difficult reality of working with suicidal patients. I regularly recommend both this book and Shea’s book on psychiatric interviewing to participants in the workshops.
In summary, I highly recommend this text for clinicians from all disciplines and at all phases of professional development. It is a rich text, full of clinical wisdom and scholarship, that both the novice and the seasoned clinician will find themselves reaching for repeatedly. Perhaps the best assessment of the book is the fact that I’ve tried to keep it on my bookshelf, but it keeps getting borrowed by my colleagues. I’ve resolved the problem by keeping a separate copy at home. THAT constitutes a valuable book!
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|L. Sidhu said,
Wrote on July 28, 2011 @ 1:59 am
Seminal Text of Suicide Assessment,
There are many books on suicidology and even on clinical interviewing, but none combine the two topics in such an effective and practical manner.
Dr. Shea’s book, the second edition to his previous edition, is an excellent tool for any practicing clinician or student. He provides a method of assessment that is quick and efficient without being superficial.
Working in a federal penitentiary, suicide assessments are an important part of my work. I rely on Dr. Shea’s assessment techniques on a regular basis because they allow for quick, triage assessments.
I can’t recommend a book more highly!
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|Lloyd said,
Wrote on July 28, 2011 @ 2:05 am
Well written and easy reading,
I’m currently in school for addiction counseling and felt this book would be good to read. It is well written and easy to read, with a lot of good advice. As a counselor in preparation I know I will be having sessions with people who are experiencing suicidal ideation, & while I know this doesn’t qualify a person to do suicide assessments it certainly gives a good method for drawing out as much information as possible. It makes me feel a little more comfortable about the job I am going to be doing.
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