Abstract
Psychotherapists as Patient Suicide Survivors: a Review of the Literature on Psychiatrists and Psychologists, Including Those in Training
VanLith C D
This paper reviews the literature on the frequency, impact, & recovery of psychotherapists who are suicide survivors. Comparisons are drawn between psychiatrists & psychologists. Findings indicate psychiatrists are more than twice as likely as psychologists to experience a patient suicide. Both psychiatrists & psychologists indicated the recovery process was aided by peer counsultation & training on patient suicide. It is recommended training progams establish methods to train residents & interns to deal with patient suicide; professionals must be able to grieve on both a professional & personal level.