Zimmerman, J. K., & Asnis, G. M. (EDs.). (1995). Treatment approaches with suicidal adolescents. New York: Wiley, 296 pp., $39.95
✍ Scribed by Anne McGown
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1996
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 70 KB
- Volume
- 33
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0033-3085
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
This book is divided into four parts: an introduction (two chapters); a diagnosis, assessment, and crisis intervention section (four chapters); a treatment section (seven chapters); and a concluding chapter. There are 52 case studies spread throughout this superb text. Inserted for illustrative purposes, these brief, one-or two-paragraph examples provide a link between theory and practice. Longer case studies are also presented in some chapters. Each case is associated with key issues in the chapter. Such illustrations better emphasize the psychosocial issues being explored. They are vehicles to describe treatment, assessment, prediction, and crisis intervention. Examples of compliance, problem solving, ethnic and cultural issues, and long-term follow-up issues are also presented in the case vignettes.
An extract from outpatient therapy treatment is presented in the chapter on cognitive behavior therapy. Here, the reader is treated to episodic glimpses of progress over 10 cognitive behavioral treatment sessions. Effective use of thought and action sheets with the adolescent are also demonstrated in this part of the book.
A case for group therapy (something not popular with many clinicians) is put forward. Myths about the contagiousness of suicidal ideas and the dangerousness of groups are debunked by reference to current empirical studies. Group therapy is one treatment modality that is often ignored in alternative texts on how best to help the suicidal adolescent. In this text, Zimmerman and Asnis lead the reader step by step through the group processes. Common concerns about group work with suicidal adolescents voiced by health care agency administrators are clearly addressed.
A thorough psychoeducational module is described, and ways of addressing suicidal behavior in preventive and postventive ways are presented. This approach is a refreshing change from other presentations of this topic, where for the most part one gets a list of what issues to address but no content or context explanation is supplied with the list.
Future directions for efforts that may enhance the mental health of adolescents are considered in the concluding chapter. This book provides excellent reference material for professionals who find themselves in daily contact with suicidal adolescents. Treat- ment Approaches with Suicidal Adolescents definitely links psychological theory with best practices.