Using the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide for risk assessment suicide intervention

Counselors often identify having a suicidal client as one of the most difficult and worrisome experiences they face in clinical practice. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) can help counselors understand how failed belongingness and perceived burdensomeness contribute to acquiring the capability to attempt lethal self-harm. ITS posits that people attempt suicide because they want to die and because they can; they overcome the natural barriers that protect from intentionally inflicting lethal self-harm. Further, ITS provides a theoretical basis for counselors to understand why people want to die and develop the capability to enact lethal self-harm and suggests methods of risk assessment and prevention interventions. This presentation will introduce ITS, explain concepts and application of this approach, discuss how to use ITS to conduct suicide risk assessment and interventions to reduce suicidal desire and explore how this approach can be used within clinical settings and supervision.