We did the routine three times and she said now she did not feel suicidal anymore, just really sad. We brainstormed what she could do to take care of herself and how she would spend the rest of the day, but she assured me she was now ok and would not hurt herself. She has not had the suicidal feelings return and is looking forward to our meeting in person next week. Thank heavens for these new therapies that allow us to help people help themselves quickly. You know, I hope that before doing telephone treatment that there is a good solid assessment, backup plan, no suicide contract and all the other stuff.
Lets be careful out there with our enthusiasm.
I think most of us, if faced with such a situation, would use whatever skills or tools we have available. In the past, that was limited to cognitive interventions, persuasion, looking for some therapeutic leverage, looking for something that we might be able to use to get the person to stay alive long enough to either get into our office or for emergency services to arrive. I really don't understand what you would suggest doing instead. Suicide, of course, is a bit different than fingernail biting and professionals need to weigh these things. Also, Peg did not go very deep into the details of this case.