Surviving the Suicide of a Therapist (IN: Suicide and Its Aftermath: Understanding and Counseling the Survivors ed. by E J Dunne et al.)

Reviews literature which suggests that the suicidal death of a therapist profoundly affects the patients. Patients have some typical survivor reactions, including guilt, feeling just like the therapist, betrayal & anger at the clinic. Often, patients do not continue in therapy. Suggested postvention includes informing the patient by a clinically sensitive person familiar with the patient. Patients should be free to discuss feelings of guilt & normal grief should be encouraged. (RM)