Suicide Safety Training

FOR PROFESSIONALS

I provide in-depth suicide assessment and intervention training tailored to the specific needs of private practice clinicians.

NOTE: CEUs are currently available for NYS LMSW/LCSW

[Gillian Murphy, PhD, LCSW is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0789]

Working with high-risk clients in private practice can, at times, be overwhelming.  

With over 25 years of experience in crisis intervention and suicide prevention, gained through my work with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline), I've witnessed the transformative impact of effective training on saving lives.

Whether you're directly working with individuals at risk of suicide or not, encountering clients experiencing suicidal ideation is an inevitable aspect of practice. My goal is to provide accessible and practical training that equips you with the confidence and competence needed to navigate these challenging situations with peace of mind. We owe it to our clients to enhance our practice in ways that can make a meaningful difference.

Suicide Safety Training

  • Online Live Interactive

    This training is tailored to meet the specific needs of your group practice but generally includes a focus on understanding suicide risk/protective factors, suicide screening and assessment, risk formulation, and brief interventions for both imminent and non-imminent risk situations. The training is interactive and incorporates participant discussion as well as Q/A. Handouts with up-to-date resources and literature are provided. Training typically ranges from 2 - 2.5hrs. CEUs available.

    contact for booking

  • Online Self-Paced - SHORT

    Suicide Assessment and Intervention for Behavioral Health Clinicians
    2.5 hour training

    With similar content to the live presentation, this course is presented online in a self-guided study format that includes video presentations and additional handouts available to print and download for use. Up-to-date resources and supporting literature are highlighted. CEUs available.

    Coming soon

  • Online Self-Paced - FULL

    Suicide Assessment and Intervention for Behavioral Health Clinicians
    5 hour training

    This five-hour training is a full course curriculum that includes a complete review of suicide prevention efforts in the US, practical approaches to suicide assessment and intervention, postvention approaches, and best practice models of ongoing care. This course is also presented online in a self-guided study format. CEUs available.

    coming soon

Access a free presentation on suicide assessment here: 

McLean Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Suicide Assessment and Treatment Course 2023. Suicide Assessment and Intervention in Clinical Practice: Application of the 988 Lifeline Model.

Clinical Consultation

FOR PROFESSIONALS

Clinical consultation is beneficial at any stage of your career. As clinicians, we understand that clients' lives are complex, and navigating challenging cases can sometimes feel overwhelming. In a private practice setting, where isolation can be a common experience, having the support of another clinician is invaluable. It often provides the reassurance and validation we need to feel confident in our approach to supporting our clients. 

I provide supervision and consultation services to clinicians who are managing cases involving potentially high-risk issues, such as suicide or self-harm. Engaging in case consultation for high-risk situations, especially concerning suicide, is regarded as best practice. It underscores accountability and demonstrates a commitment to providing thorough and responsible care. Should your files ever undergo legal review, this level of diligence can prove invaluable.

Resources for Clinicians

Means Matter

The Means Matter Campaign, part of the Harvard School of Public Health, promotes activities that reduce a person’s access to lethal means of suicide. This site provides detailed information for clinicians on how to address access to lethal means with clients.

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)

This free video-based training, developed through the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), addresses means restriction and provides guidance on how to work with clients on restricting access to lethal means.

Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention

This site contains guidance on how to develop a safety plan with clients. Supporting documentation, forms, and brief training videos are available to illustrate essential aspects of the Safety Planning Intervention

My Safety Plan

Developed by Vibrant Emotional Health (in support of the Lifeline) this is an online, fillable, and printable form for clients. It is based on the Stanley-Brown Safety Planning Intervention.