Graduate Training and the Treatment of Suicidal Clients: The Students' Perspective

Abstract

Existing literature suggests that graduate programs may not provide adequate training in working with suicidal clients. Therefore, we surveyed 238 predoctoral psychology interns and assessed the prevalence of clients engaging in suicidal behaviors and the amount of formal training in managing suicidal clients received. Results showed approximately 5% of participants indicated a client suicide and 99% indicated they had treated at least one suicidal client during their graduate training. In contrast, results demonstrated only 50% of the participants reported attending programs where formal training was offered. These findings suggest a continued need for increased formal training in managing suicidal clients in graduate psychology programs.