Date of Award
6-11-2001
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Clarice Staff
Second Advisor
Laura Boisen
Third Advisor
Joseph Club
Abstract
Suicide is often described as an occupational hazard of working as a therapist because of the potential impact it has on the therapist. Using a qualitative design, five therapists were interviewed to explore their experiences of dealing with client suicide. The results were related to the theories of cognitive appraisal of stress, the theory of cognitive adaptation, and constructivist self development theory. Findings of the present study indicate that, the suicide of a client can have profound effects upon the therapist's personal and professional 1ife. Therapists found that agencies lack protocol for client suicide, often leaving the therapist feeling unprepared and alienated.
Identifier
SC 11.MSW.2001.Hilgers.JGR
Recommended Citation
Hilgers, Jennifer Gail Ranum, "The Effects of Client Suicide on a Therapist" (2001). Theses and Graduate Projects. 1175.
https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/1175