Deliberate Practice in Assessing Self-Directed Violence
Robert Scholz author Alexandre Vaz author Tony Rousmaniere author Brian Van Brunt author Susan R Hall author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:American Psychological Association
Publishing:31st Mar '26
£38.00
This title is due to be published on 31st March, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
To help address the suicide public health crisis, this book presents deliberate practice exercises to reduce clinicians’ fears of talking about suicide and self-injury with clients and assessing for risk with skill and empathy.
These exercises present role-playing scenarios in which two trainees act as a client and a therapist, switching back and forth under the guidance of a supervisor. The therapist improvises appropriate and authentic responses to client statements organized into three difficulty levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
The first 10 exercises review skills that can be incorporated into any approach to assess self-directed violence (SDV), such as exploring the deeper meaning behind statements that indicate a desire to engage in SDV, asking scaling questions to assess the likelihood of acting on these desires, collaborative safety planning, and communicating with clients about the therapist’s ethical and legal responsibilities. Two comprehensive exercises follow in which trainees integrate these skills into a transcribed session and mock therapy sessions.
Step-by-step instructions guide participants through the exercises, identify criteria for mastering the skills, and explain how to monitor and adjust difficulty. Guidelines to help trainers and trainees get the most out of training are also provided.
"I'm thrilled to see the publication of Deliberate Practice in Assessing Self-Directed Violence. Why? Because for decades we've needed a text with clear guidance to help students and practitioners develop skills for assessing self-directed violence (aka suicide assessment). Now we have it. This book moves training and practice in assessing self-directed violence to the next level." - John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD, Director, Center for the Advancement of Positive Education, University of Montana, Missoula, and coauthor of Clinical Interviewing
"Finally, a book that bridges the gap between a therapist's knowledge of self-directed violence and how to use that knowledge during times it matters most. What sets this book apart is the shift in mindset, from the assumption therapists get better over time to the fact that intentional training and repetition through deliberate practice is what's needed to bridge the gap between "I know this" and "I nailed it."" - Lisa Pescara-Kovach, PhD, Director, Center for Education in Mass Violence and Suicide; Professor, Educational Studies, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH; and coauthor of White Supremacist Violence: Understanding the Resurgence and Stopping the Spread
"This book provides a clear, evidence-informed framework for training graduate students to competently assess and treat self-directed violence. It translates complex risk assessment concepts into practical, ethical decision-making tools that are accessible without oversimplifying the seriousness of high-risk situations. Through case examples, structured exercises, and step-by-step guidance, the text builds therapist confidence while emphasizing safety, supervision, and collaboration. A major strength is its explicit focus on reducing the trepidation and unease commonly experienced by both trainees and practicing clinicians when outcomes may be severe or life-threatening. Overall, the book meaningfully increases clinical competency and readiness, making it a valuable resource for graduate education and ongoing professional development." - David J. Denino, MS, LPC, Director Emeritus, Counseling Services, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, and Disaster Mental Health Lead for CT/RI, American Red Cross
ISBN: 9781433843433
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
184 pages