1. Suicide Intervention
I am counseling a 15-year-old boy, Josh, whose girlfriend killed herself after they broke-up. Josh cut
school yesterday, and I know that he has been drinking heavily since his girlfriend’s funeral. This
morning he is at school and is sober. I have called Josh into my office.
Counselor:” Hello Josh. How are you doing today?”
Client: Ok, I guess.
Counselor: I want you to know how sorry I am for your loss.
Client: I just can’t seem to stop thinking about Carol killing herself.
Counselor: I understand it must be real painful to lose someone you care about. Can you tell me
some more about your feelings?
Client: I just can’t help thinking that if it wasn’t for me, Carol will still be alive right now. I just
can’t live with the guilt.
Counselor: So not only are you dealing with the sudden death of Carol, but you are also feeling
real guilty?
Client: Yes
Counselor: You know Josh, sometimes when people have experienced a sudden lose and feel as
you do, they think of suicide. Is this something you have thought about?
Client: Yes
Counselor: I think I understand, but can you tell me some more about what it is that has lead you
to think about suicide? "I’m hearing you say you feel overwhelmed by the situation, and I
understand that from where you sit, you cannot see a way out of this other than suicide. It is clear
to me that you are in such tremendous psychological pain that you feel you simply cannot face
another day.
Client: I just can’t live with this guilt. Everyone is looking at me. They know that I had broken
2.
up with Carol. I’m sure everyone hates me and wishes I were dead. I might as well do them a
favor and I have no friends, and no one cares if I live or die, and I used to go to church and see
people, but I don't even go there anymore.
Counselor: You are really feeling alone right now. You are thinking that you are being blamed
for Carol’s death....