ABSTRACT
The help needed by the adolescent identified to be at risk for suicide or suicidal behavior may be conceptualized as having two foci. The first is the crisis model, wherein interventions are designed to prevent death or injury by restoring a presuicidal equilibrium. The therapist helps restore equilibrium mostly by providing the resources and supports, both internal and external, necessary to allow a normal healing process to occur (in a hurry). It is presumed that these resources and supports are, perhaps only temporarily, unavailable as a result of the constriction of thought and dysregulation of emotion that overwhelm the adolescent during the period of crisis.
