Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP): Treatment Model, Feasibility, and Acceptability

Barbara Stanley, Gregory Brown, David A. Brent, Karen Wells, Kim Poling, John Curry, Betsy D. Kennard, Ann Wagner, Mary F. Cwik, Anat Brunstein Klomek, Tina Goldstein, Benedetto Vitiello, Shannon Barnett, Stephanie Daniel, Jennifer Hughes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

277 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To describe the elements of a manual-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for suicide prevention (CBT-SP) and to report its feasibility in preventing the recurrence of suicidal behavior in adolescents who have recently attempted suicide. Method: The CBT-SP was developed using a risk reduction and relapse prevention approach and theoretically grounded in principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and targeted therapies for suicidal youths with depression. The CBT-SP consists of acute and continuation phases, each lasting about 12 sessions, and includes a chain analysis of the suicidal event, safety plan development, skill building, psychoeducation, family intervention, and relapse prevention. Results: The CBT-SP was administered to 110 recent suicide attempters with depression aged 13 to 19 years (mean 15.8 years, SD 1.6) across five academic sites. Twelve or more sessions were completed by 72.4% of the sample. Conclusions: A specific intervention for adolescents at high risk for repeated suicide attempts has been developed and manual based, and further testing of its efficacy seems feasible. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2009;48(10):1005-1013.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1005-1013
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume48
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009

Keywords

  • depression
  • psychotherapy
  • suicide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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