Year: 2020
Type: report
Abstract: Globally, suicide is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. It is a profoundly \ndisturbing event for all affected, including the psychotherapist. In this paper, the author seeks to \nexplore the consequences of such an event on the psychotherapist. The psychotherapists grief can \nbe complex. They are not mourning a friend or family member, however, the psychotherapeutic \nrelationship can foster deep connections between the client and the psychotherapist. Studies have \nshown that the psychotherapist may experience feelings of grief, anger and guilt. They react \ninitially, in much the same was as family and friends of the deceased. However, they may \nsimultaneously experience a professional reaction to a clients completed suicide which may result \nin feelings of self doubt and inadequacy. In addition, their grief may be disenfranchised which can \nfurther complicate the healing process. Following a completed client suicide, the psychotherapists \ncurrent and future therapeutic relationships may be affected. A psychotherapist may be fearful of \nexperiencing a second client suicide and therefore, adjust their practice accordingly. \nCountertransference issues may arise, and have the potential to impact considerably, the efficacy of \nthe psychotherapeutic relationship. Most concerning however, is the lack of literature and studies \ndescribing any indications that the psychotherapist is ready to resume their practice with clients. \nSimilarly, the literature also highlights a lack of concrete coping mechanisms for the \npsychotherapist in the wake of a completed client suicide. While some coping mechanisms have \nbeen identified, and certainly play a role in sustaining the psychotherapist, it appears that further \nresearch in this area may be needed.
Source: eSource (Dublin Business School)
Author: Emma Creighan
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3127965707