Book Review: Helping the Suicidal Person

Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals, by Stacey Freedenthal, New York: NY, Routledge, ISBN: 978-1138946958, 2018, 288 pages, $44.95 Paperback.

    Dr. Stacey Freedenthal’s book, Helping the Suicidal Person, is a true clinical gem, combining clinical and research wisdom about best practices of clinical engagement, assessment, and interventions with people who experience suicidality. The book will guide you through the phases of therapeutic work with someone who currently experiences suicidal thoughts or has a history of thoughts and/or attempt. Dr. Freedenthal draws from her lifelong professional experience in the field of suicide prevention and masterfully presents to us the most important tips and techniques for providing evidence-based services to our clients.

    In addition to the beautifully written book with accessible and clearly marked chapters that match the different stages of our clinical work, the author has gifted us with numerous case vignettes illustrating each tip and technique throughout the book.

    Beginning with the most important part of our work—a look at ourselves and our own beliefs and biases about suicidality—Dr. Freedenthal guides us on our journey of self exploration and development of reflexive practice. Even though this may not be the author’s main goal, it has a central role in planning and implementing a successful clinical practice by paying close attention to ourselves as being the main tool of our work.

    Freedenthal continues with exploring initial engagement and assessment of the suicidal person and moves through collaborative treatment planning, interventions, evaluation of treatment, services conclusion, relapse prevention, and follow-up stages. She skillfully presents various techniques and tips to tend to the therapeutic relationship, while properly addressing safety and other concerns of treatment. Various evidence-based practices such as techniques from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other established assessment and treatment protocols are well described in the book. Another invaluable feature of this book is the use of relevant up-to-date research, which is critically examined and presented after each topic for easy access.

    This is an excellent clinical guide, not only for student social workers and novice professionals, but also for seasoned clinicians who want to re-examine their skills for working with suicidal clients. The book presents us with the specific details and differences in working with acute or chronic suicidality, and even looks into various life situations that may bring on suicidal thoughts, such as terminal illness.

    Even though the author is a social worker and the book is clearly grounded in social work values and theories, it would be a vital clinical guide for all helping professionals who provide direct care to people. It is a must-have resource for the busy clinician who wants to build a trauma-informed practice.

Reviewed by Rumyana Kudeva, DSW, LCSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Eastern Washington University.