Citation

Lee JB, Bartlett ML. Death Stud. 2005; 29(9): 847-865.

Affiliation

Alabama State University, P.O. Box 241972, Montgomery, AL 36124, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16220618

Abstract

Despite its entrenchment as a standard of practice, no-suicide contracts fail to achieve their purpose as an effective part of treatment or as an effective method of inoculating counselors against potential lawsuits should a client commit suicide. Critical elements for managing suicidal clients and counselor liability without reliance on the no-suicide contract are presented. Therapeutic considerations include evaluating clients to determine (a) no referral for hospitalization needed, (b) referral for voluntary hospitalization, or (c) referral for involuntary hospitalization.