Suicidal Thoughts

It's ok, we can go there and I'm not gonna freak out.

Thoughts of not wanting to be alive or wanting to be dead are valid experiences and discussing them is an important way to work towards healing. As a therapist, I am comfortable exploring these uncomfortable feelings with you.

I have extensive experience with suicidal thoughts, and am specifically trained to help with self-harm/self-injury.

I have worked with individuals that have experienced extreme feelings of hopelessness, leading to severe suicidal thoughts. I have treated individuals who have survived attempted suicide.

I get it; wanting to die is scary and admitting you want to die is even scarier. I want you to know, I'm not scared to talk about it. I believe most people know what it's like to not want to wake up or not want to exist anymore. I'm more suspicious of people who say they have never felt that way. Feeling suicidal makes sense to me for a lot of reason, AND I want to help you turn the volume down on those ideas. Let's talk about options before you go with the most permanent one on the table.

Suicidal thoughts are a sign that life isn't progressing the way we want it to, and can be very scary to share with others. I have extensive experience working with people who feel suicidal, and I know these thoughts are coming up for a reason. My job is to help identify why you're having these thoughts, and to provide real time solutions to make life one that is worth living.

While it may be taboo in our society to even mention suicidal thoughts or feelings, I have worked with many clients who have had suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives. In our sessions, you can talk about it. And if you're concerned that your words will lead to me having to make a call, breathe, relax, we will go over that stuff during your first session. I have some really cool strategies we can use to begin to tackle those feelings of hopelessness or depression.

I believe that comprehensive therapy for suicidal ideation is so much more than writing down a safety plan on a piece of paper and calling it a day. It is my goal to meet my clients where they are in their journey, and help them find their own meaning and hope. I am certified through ASIST, the world's leading suicide prevention program, and use these techniques regularly in sessions where suicidality is a concern.

We will use a combination of DBT, CBT, and Mindfulness practices to reduce the intensity and frequency of urges to self harm and suicidal thoughts.

Did you know that suicidal thoughts are incredibly common? Many people are afraid to admit to thoughts of death or suicide, in part because the thoughts are terrifying in and of themselves, but also out of a fear of how people will react. I have worked as a 911 dispatcher as well as a crisis hotline employee (including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). I have extensive training in crisis counseling, including suicide intervention. Talking about it is the first step to healing.

The majority of training has been in psychiatric hospitals treating individuals struggling with thoughts of suicide and psychosis. I have worked for multiple years in a 24hr crisis center and crisis call center addressing thoughts of suicide and psychosis.

Suicidal thoughts can come to anyone, from the passive "I am hopeless" to the planning and implementing of a suicide attempt. I have worked extensive with those who have passive/active suicidal thoughts and those who have tried to kill themselves. Where do these thoughts come from? Is there hope? Absolutely, there is hope.

II have extensive history of working with clients that struggle with Suicidal Ideation. We will utilize CBT to bring awareness to triggers, situations, emotions that reinforces Suicidal Ideation. We work to identify healthy coping skills that can help to make life worth living. We work to build insight so therefore we can make progress towards recovery together.