Family Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents [Paperback]

This book describes a blend of insight-oriented, behavioral, and strategic family therapy, which the author has developed over thirty-four years of dealing with suicidal adolescents. It aims not to replace other forms of therapy but to augment the therapists own therapeutic style.

The book offers an informative and personally told story bringing together scholarship and meaningful glimpses into the thought processes of suicidal youth. Written in an understandable, friendly, and practical style, it will appeal to those in clinical practice, as well as graduate-level students pursuing clinical work.

Selekman, Foreword. Acknowledgements. Preface. Introduction: The Journey Begins. Formulations of Suicide: Examining the Nature of the Beast. Adolescent Suicide: Why is Adolescence Such a Fertile Breeding Ground? Factors in Adolescent Suicide: The Seeds That Bear Bitter Fruit. The Therapeutic Framework for Intervention: A Strategy for Family Therapy. Crisis Intervention: Balancing on the Edge of the Cliff. Joining: Convincing the Adolescent That This Does Not Have to be a Solitary Battle. Analysis: Understanding How the Adolescent Has Been Seduced. Cognitive Interventions: Freeing the Mind from Destructive Ways of Thinking. Behavioral Interventions: When Actions Speak Louder Than Words. Strategic Interventions: The Art of Overcoming the Fear of Change. Epilogue.

Family Therapy with Suicidal Adolescents is an eminently practical book, giving clear guidelines on assessing and treating youngsters who express a wish to end their lives, and involving their families as the central resource is preventing this tragedy. It will be invaluable to both experienced clinicians and novices alike.
- Alan Carr, professor, University College Dublin, and associate editor of the Journal of Family Therapy
 
This book is an absolute must read for lH