Strategies in Treatment of Suicidality: Identification of Common and Treatment-Specific Interventions in Empirically Supported Treatment Manuals

In this study, treatment manuals for empirically supported psychological treatments for suicidal patients were examined to identify which interventions they had in common & which interventions were treatment-specific. Empirically supported treatments for suicidality were identified through a literature search of PsychLit & MEDLINE, for the years 1970-2007. 5 manualized treatments demonstrating efficacy were identified & were independently evaluated. The common interventions included a clear treatment framework; a defined strategy for managing suicide crises; close attention to affect; an active, participatory therapist style; & use of exploratory & change-oriented interventions. (57 refs.) JA