4
Dec

Lunch & Learn Workshop (1 CE)

Integrating Strengths-Based and Traditional (Medical Model) Approaches to Suicide Assessment

Dr John Sommers-Flanagan presenting

This virtual workshop is designed to provide 1 hr of the 2 hrs required by the MT BBH.  Description and details below.

4

Dec

1 CE VIRTUAL SUICIDE TRAINING

Dr John Sommers-Flanagan, presenting
Integrating Strengths-Based and Traditional (Medical Model) Approaches to Suicide Assessment

This virtual workshop is designed to provide 1 hr of the 2 hrs required by the MT Board of Behavioral Health LCPC annual CE requirements

Integrating Strengths-Based and Traditional (Medical Model) Approaches to Suicide Assessment

Traditional suicide assessment tends to be a top-down information-gathering process wherein healthcare or prevention professionals use questionnaires and clinical interviews to determine patient or client suicide risk. This approach may not be the best fit for people from populations with historical trauma, or for people who continue to experience oppression or marginalization. In this presentation, John Sommers-Flanagan will review principles of a strengths-based approach to suicide prevention, assessment, and treatment. He will also discuss how to be more sensitive, empowering, collaborative, and how to leverage cultural strengths when working with people who are potentially suicidal. You will learn at least three practical strengths-based strategies for initiating conversations about suicide, conducting culturally-sensitive assessments, and implementing suicide interventions. 

Learning Objectives

1. List  key differences between medical model and collaborative strengths-based approaches to suicide assessment and treatment
2. Describe at least one way to integrate medical model and strengths-based assessment approaches
3. Identify and implement at least three specific assessment strategies to help facilitate collaborative and constructive problem-solving.

Dr John Sommers-Flanagan, PhD

 John Sommers-Flanagan received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Oregon State University in 1979, and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Montana in 1986. He is currently a professor of counseling at the University of Montana, a clinical psychologist, and author or coauthor of over 100 publications, including 10 books and numerous professional training videos. His books, co-written with his wife Rita, include Clinical Interviewing, Tough Kids, Cool Counseling, and Suicide Assessment and Treatment Planning: A Strengths-Based Approach. He has published articles or commentaries in the New England Journal of Medicine, American Psychologist, Professional Psychology, and the Journal of Counseling and Development. John is a popular keynote speaker and professional workshop trainer in the areas of (a) counseling youth, (b) working with parents, (c) strengths-based suicide assessment and treatment, (d) clinical interviewing, and (e) happiness. In 2018, he produced a three-part, 7.5-hour suicide training video with Psychotherapy.net. He has published many newspaper columns, Op-Ed pieces, and an article in Slate Magazine. He is co-host of the Practically Perfect Parenting Podcast, and, like Elaine on Seinfeld, widely renowned for his dancing skills (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fippweztcwg), as well as his performance as Dwight, in the University of Montana Counseling Department’s parody of The Office  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM8-I8_1CqQ&t=19s). In his wild and precious spare time, John loves to run (slowly), dance (poorly), laugh (loudly) and produce home-made family music videos. You can learn more about John and Rita’s latest venture, the Montana Happiness Project, at www.montanahappinessproject.com