ABSTRACT
A client threatening suicide poses a whole host of dilemmas for the therapist – legal, ethical, professional and personal. Action that appears appropriate in one of these contexts may be inappropriate in another. This chapter highlights the major professional, ethical and legal considerations that need to be taken into account when working with a client expressing suicidal ideation. Such considerations may well lead therapists into actions incompatible with their own personal and ethical beliefs. It is hoped this chapter will help to crystallise those beliefs and prepare therapists working in this challenging area. The task includes assessment and management of risk and a consideration of the duty of care required by practitioners. One’s own personal way of working will influence how you respond to a client’s threat; therapists must be aware that professional/legal dilemmas transcend theoretical positions, i.e. you cannot use your therapeutic approach as a legal defence.
