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Suicide and Counseling for Suicidality

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Counseling and Action

Abstract

One of the problems extensively studied in the frame of the contextual action theory is suicidality. This chapter summarizes some of the key conceptual and intervention propositions of this view related to suicidality. It outlines and illustrates the claim that suicide is a goal-directed process in form of an action, project, and a suicide career as defined by contextual action theory, using empirical material from interviews and the self-confrontation procedure with clients after a suicide attempt. The consequences of this position are discussed. It further underlines the view that suicidal processes are social joint actions, projects, and careers as mirrored in the narratives of suicidal clients. The social nature of suicide processes, which implies a major prevention potential, is pointed out and illustrated with narrative examples of the social contacts of suicide attempters after their incomplete suicide act. The social-emotional goal-directed process of suicide actions and projects is also reflected in illustrating the role of emotional childhood experience in the suicide process. The chapter further details the systemic goal-directed processes of a suicide action as top–down and bottom up steering processes and presents the appropriate descriptions provided in suicide narratives. Finally, an intervention for suicide prevention is briefly outlined and the five key tasks for a suicide prevention counselor to consider while dealing with a suicidal client after a suicide attempt are specified. The chapter ends with a brief checklist allowing the counselor to evaluate the state of the intervention which helps in deciding whether to terminate the treatment project.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Berne, Switzerland

    Ladislav Valach

  2. Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Richard A. Young

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  1. Ladislav Valach
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  2. Richard A. Young
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Correspondence to Ladislav Valach .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Special Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

    Richard A. Young

  2. Faculty of Education, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, Canada

    José F. Domene

  3. Berne, Switzerland

    Ladislav Valach

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Valach, L., Young, R. (2015). Suicide and Counseling for Suicidality. In: Young, R., Domene, J., Valach, L. (eds) Counseling and Action. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0773-1_18

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