Understanding Interpersonal Violence and Suicide: Treatment and Preventative Approaches

Course overview

This presentation will examine how interpersonal aggressive behavior and suicidal behaviors develop and the implications for both prevention and treatment approaches. Various intervention approaches will be critiqued, differentiating between those programs that "work" versus those programs that inadvertently increase the level of aggression. How to assess the risk potential and predict intimate partner violence and suicidality will be highlighted. The controversy concerning evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy for depressed clients will be considered. How to implement the Core Tasks of Psychotherapy with depressed and suicidal adolescents and adults will be demonstrated. Detailed handouts will be provided that enumerate specific assessment and psychotherapeutic interventions. Participants will learn how to implement preventative and treatment interventions in a variety of settings including schools, clinical facilities and community settings like medical Emergency Rooms. This presentation will examine the challenges of working with angry / aggressive and depressed / suicidal clients who experience a variety of co-occurring psychiatric and medical disorders. Ways to bolster resilience in such clients will be discussed.