Training for Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CT-SP)

CT-SP is an evidence-based, time-limited psychotherapy for the treatment of suicidal ideation and behaviors in adults and was developed by Gregory K. Brown, Ph.D. and Aaron T. Beck, M.D. CT-SP is unique from other cognitive-behavioral treatment protocols in that the explicit focus of therapy is suicide prevention rather than a primary psychiatric disorder. The beginning phase of treatment includes the narrative interview, creation of a cognitive conceptualization, development of treatment goals, and early interventions, including the establishment of the Safety Plan and the Hope Kit. The middle phase of therapy includes interventions specifically targeted to the treatment goals and may include problem-solving, cognitive restructuring, distress tolerance, and behavioral activation. The later phase of therapy includes consolidation of skills and a relapse prevention task.

Workshop Training in CT-SP

Our 2.5-day experiential workshop includes a didactic presentation, demonstration roleplays, and experiential exercises of the three phases of treatment. CT-SP Workshop Training is appropriate for licensed therapists who treat adults on an outpatient basis. Because CT-SP has not been adapted and tested with youth, we do not offer training in CT-SP for treating adolescents and children. We are able to offer this workshop training to organizations for groups of clinicians.

Competency-Based Training in CT-SP

In addition to stand-alone workshops, we may be able to offer consultation in CT-SP that would follow an experiential workshop. Consultation consists of weekly 90-minute small-group (e.g., 4 therapists to 1 Consultant) calls over a 6-month period. Participating therapists would be expected to enroll suicidal adult patients as training cases and submit audio-recorded sessions to their Consultant for review. Over the consultation period, Consultants would listen to submitted audio-recorded sessions and provide feedback using the Cognitive Therapy Rating Scale (CTRS) during the weekly consultation meetings. Eligibility for consultation depends on organizational readiness and infrastructure to implement CT-SP.

For training in Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CT-SP), please contact Kelly Green, Ph.D. to discuss costs and your training needs.