Suicide Assessment and Intervention | Event Details - Suicide Assessment and Intervention

Losing a client to suicide is your worst nightmare.

And there inevitably comes a time when the suicidal client is more than just an intangible dread.

When an actual person, suffering and sitting in your office, reveals they are having suicidal thoughts. Many clinicians are left feeling unprepared, frightened, and unsure what to do next. The weight of keeping someone alive can steer you in the direction of avoidance.

Don’t let fear push you away.

This exclusive event will transform how you view and work with suicidal clients and give you the clinical tools you need to save lives.

Join Sally Spencer-Thomas, PsyD, nationally recognized clinical psychologist, speaker, and advocate in the field of suicide prevention, as she shares the tools and insights every mental health professional needs when working with suicidal clients.

This seminar will provide you with the tools you need to:

Assess for suicidal risk and identify implicit and explicit expressions of suicidal thought
Formulate a game plan for crises when suicide is imminent
Apply proactive, evidence-based CBT and DBT interventions
Effectively use compassionate, stigma-free language with suicidal clients
Provide innovative grief resources for survivors of suicide and suicide loss

Don't miss out on bringing energy, hope, and real movement back into your sessions.

In this training, you’ll build the confidence and clinical skills you need to assess suicidal ideation with clarity and respond effectively in high-risk situations. Learn how to spot subtle warning signs that often go unnoticed, ask the right questions without increasing distress, and create collaborative safety plans that clients are more likely to follow. With clear guidance and real-world strategies, this training will help you stay grounded and composed, even in the most intense moments of crisis.

Presented by award winning inspirational international speaker and nationally recognized suicidologist Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, this course offers a practical, research-based approach designed for working mental health professionals. Through engaging instruction, real case examples, and straightforward tools you can use immediately, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to navigate suicidal risk with both competence and compassion. Whether you’re in private practice, a hospital, or a community setting, this training gives you the support and structure you need to help save lives with confidence.

"Course was very impactful, presented efficiently, showed passion and compassion for content to be learned, valued and utilized.”

— Jeannie R., Social Worker

"I felt this was the first seminar for suicide prevention in a long time that I was invested in due to the specific content and studies."

— Lee H., Counselor

"The most helpful suicide assessment course I've taken!"

— Angie F., Counselor

"AMAZING CEU!!! I absolutely LOVED how she used examples and stories/narratives to explain things which is the way that I learn and remember things. The information given was so educational and knowledgeable and I would HIGHLY recommend that everyone take this training!!"

— Jennifer A., Counselor

"Dr. Sally was absolutely amazing. This seminar was beyond helpful, and I couldn't recommend it more highly."

— Holly P., Psychologist

"Excellent presentation. Presentation was motivating for continuation of reading and researching this topic."

— Cheryl W., OT

Formulate Treatment Plans that Help Clients Regulate Emotions and Make Them Feel Valued and Connected

Collaborative safety planning (or “Why Suicide Contracting is Dead”)
Proactive approaches to decrease the likelihood of suicidal despair
Multi-system approaches – support systems
Evidence-based treatments:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  - Cognitive restructuring strategies
  - Emotional regulation exercises
  - Behavioral Activation
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  - How to organize a skills training group
  - Tips for phone coaching
Relapse prevention plans
Documentation
Reduce access to lethal means
Working with specific populations: veterans, the elderly

Sally Spencer-Thomas, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and inspirational international speaker. Dr. Spencer-Thomas was moved to work in suicide prevention after her younger brother, a Denver entrepreneur, died by suicide after a difficult battle with bipolar condition.

Dr. Spencer-Thomas has been an invited speaker at the White House on the topics of mental health and suicide prevention and has held leadership positions for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the American Association for Suicidology, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. She has won multiple awards for her leadership including the 2014 Survivor of the Year from the American Association of Suicidology, the 2014 Invisible Disabilities Association Impact Honors Award, the 2012 Alumni Master Scholar from the University of Denver, the 2015 Farbarow Award from the International Association for Suicide Prevention and the 2016 Career Achievement Alumni Award from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology.

She has a Doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver, a Masters in non-profit management from Regis University, and a bachelor’s in psychology and studio art with a minor in economics from Bowdoin College. She has written four books on mental health and violence prevention.

Click here for information about Sally Spencer-Thomas

"Sally is an excellent speaker. She intertwines personal experiences with professional knowledge seamlessly. It was a fabulous seminar and I learned a significant amount of information which I will utilize as well as resources which I will check into further for more information." 

— Lisa E., Counselor

"Sally was a compelling, thoughtful and honest presenter. I appreciated her openness to questions and ability to seamlessly fold audience thoughts into her presentation. The presentation was well developed and easily kept my attention." 

— Kit M., LMFT

"Sally was especially responsive to question- -the most that I have ever experienced. Good command of subject and engaging presenting style."

— Rick S., Social Worker

"Sally was warm and engaging. I did not feel like a nameless participant, but felt welcomed and noticed."

— Carol G., Counselor

"Sally was incredibly well versed and down to earth. Well spent day!"

— Amy K., Social Worker

When you book your stay at the legendary Omni Shoreham Hotel, you’ll be just steps away from the conference room! Enjoy the convenience of being on-site for your training – as well as a heated outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, bar, coffee shop, jogging trails, fitness center, and a spa! Enjoy the proximity to the city's top attractions like the National Zoo, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the National Mall. With easy access to downtown, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown, the Omni Shoreham Hotel is your gateway to the best of Washington, DC.

Is this training right for me?

If you're ready to take your practice to the next level by learning proven suicide risk assessment and intervention strategies, then yes! You'll learn and be able to apply evidence-based tools across a wide range of high-risk presentations, including active ideation, crisis escalation, grief and loss, and so much more! When you complete this training, you'll have a robust set of skills and techniques that you can safely use within your scope of practice to support clients through moments of highest risk, session after session.

This training is designed for:

Social Workers
Psychologists
Psychiatrists
Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Case Managers
Addiction Counselors
Therapists
Nurses
Other Mental Health Professionals
School-Based Counselors
School-Based Psychologists
School-Based Social Workers
School Administrators

What will the schedule look like?

March 22 from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM ET

There will be a 70-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch and break times will be announced by the speaker and at their discretion. A more detailed schedule is available upon request.

How do I get CE credit?

For live CE credit, you must attend the training or watch the live webcast in its entirety at its scheduled time and complete the CE quiz and evaluation within one week. Please note that this requirement may vary by credit type. Please see detailed credit information for specific requirements for each credit type.

If you choose to watch on-demand you get instant access and unlimited access so you can finish at your pace. Once complete just finish the CE quiz and evaluation.

Earn up to 6.25 live or self-study hours.

Should I attend in-person or online?

If you want face-to-face connection, and potential networking opportunities, come in person. But if travel isn’t possible, you can still get the same world-class training via live webcast or self-study.

ADVANCED REGISTRATION DISCOUNT NOW AVAILABLE
Register today and save up to $100 – includes up to 6.25 CE hours

Your Chance for a 1-Day Suicide Assessment & Intervention Training
in Washington, DC or via Live Webcast!

Develop the skills you need to confidently handle suicidal crises in your practice

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ADVANCED REGISTRATION DISCOUNT NOW AVAILABLERegister today and save up to $100 – includes up to 6.25 CE hours

Your Chance for a 1-Day Suicide Assessment & Intervention Trainingin Washington, DC or via Live Webcast!