Crisis Intervention and Suicidality Flashcards

Under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, 'gravely disabled' refers to a person who:

Answer: Is unable to provide for their basic personal needs—food, clothing, or shelter—due to a mental disorder

Under the LPS Act, 'gravely disabled' means inability to provide for one's own basic survival needs (food, clothing, shelter) as a direct result of a mental disorder.

A California therapist receives a call from an adult client's parent expressing concern that the client is suicidal. The therapist's BEST response is to:

Answer: Acknowledge the parent's concern and encourage them to call 911 if the client is in immediate danger, without confirming or denying the therapeutic relationship

Without the client's consent, the therapist cannot confirm the therapeutic relationship but should encourage the parent to contact emergency services if immediate danger exists.

Which protective factor is most strongly associated with reduced suicide risk in the research literature?

Answer: Strong social support and identified reasons for living

Robust social support and clearly identified reasons for living are among the most evidence-supported protective factors associated with reduced suicide risk.

A therapist's client discloses they are a licensed gun owner and has been experiencing suicidal thoughts. Under best-practice guidelines applicable in California, the therapist should:

Answer: Incorporate means restriction counseling—such as advising the client to have someone else safely store the firearms—into the safety plan

Means restriction counseling, including encouraging clients to reduce access to lethal means such as firearms, is an evidence-based component of suicide prevention and appropriate clinical practice.

When does the Tarasoff duty to warn or protect NOT apply?

Answer: When the threat is nonspecific, vague, or the potential victim is not identifiable

The Tarasoff duty requires both a serious and imminent threat and an identifiable potential victim; vague, nonspecific threats without an identifiable target do not trigger the duty.

A therapist is working with a client who has made two previous suicide attempts and is currently expressing passive suicidal ideation ('I wish I were dead') but denies any plan. The most clinically appropriate response is to:

Answer: Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment including both risk and protective factors, and document clinical reasoning

Even passive suicidal ideation in a client with a history of prior attempts requires a thorough risk assessment to determine the appropriate level of care and clinical response.

Under California law and professional ethics standards, when determining whether to hospitalize a high-risk suicidal client, therapists should primarily follow which guiding principle?

Answer: Use the least restrictive intervention that adequately addresses the client's safety needs

California law and professional ethics require therapists to use the least restrictive effective intervention, balancing client autonomy and therapeutic alliance with safety needs.