When working with trauma and suicidality, many clinicians:

• Freeze or lose access to their clinical thinking
• Default to fear-based or overly cautious decisions
• Struggle to balance ethical care with legal expectations
• Feel unsure how to respond in real time

This training moves beyond procedural ethics and into the lived, moment-to-moment reality of clinical work.

You will learn how to stay present under pressure, navigate complex ethical decisions, and respond to suicidality in a way that is both clinically sound and deeply human.

• A clear understanding of how therapist reactivity impacts ethical decision-making
• A grounded framework for responding to suicidal ideation in session
• Greater confidence in assessing risk and determining next steps
• The ability to stay connected and attuned, even in high-stakes moments
• A deeper understanding of how trauma-informed care is inherently ethical care

• Ethics (3 hours)
  We will explore how ethical practice is shaped not just by rules, but by presence, attunement, and clinical judgment.

  Topics include:

  • The tension between ethics and legal requirements
  • The impact of therapist nervous system activation on decision-making
  • Boundaries, consistency, and pacing as ethical care
  • Navigating complex relational dynamics and attachment wounds
  • Ethical decision-making in real-world clinical scenarios

  Suicide Prevention (2 hours)
  This portion focuses on helping you respond to suicidality with clarity, confidence, and connection.

  Topics include:

  • Common clinician responses that interfere with effective care
  • How to stay regulated and present during suicidal disclosure
  • Direct and effective suicide risk assessment
  • A structured, relational framework for responding in session
  • Determining appropriate next steps, including safety planning and higher levels of care
  • Integrating prevention into ongoing trauma work

• This training is designed for licensed therapists and mental health professionals who:

  • Work with trauma and complex cases
  • Want to feel more confident navigating ethical gray areas
  • Are looking for a more relational and grounded approach to suicide prevention
  • Value depth, nuance, and real-world application

  Led by: Melanie Reese, LMFT, CCTP (NBCC ACEP #7927)

   Investment: Ethics Only ($180 +tax); Suicide Prevention Only ($120 +tax); Ethics + Suicide Prevention ($300 +tax)

  Date: April 17, 2026
  Time: Ethics: 9am-12:15pm (15 min break); 12:15-1pm lunch break; Suicide Prevention 1-3:15 pm CST (15 min break)
  Continuing Education Credit: Up to 5 credit hours (3hrs ethics + 2 hrs suicide prevention)
  * You may register for one or both!
  

  Questions: [email protected]