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Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy

01-12-2017 | Original Paper

Formulation and Treatment of Chronic Suicidality in Patients with Developmental Trauma

Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy | Issue 4/2017

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Abstract

Although the psychodynamic literature has examined some of the links between developmental trauma and suicidal thinking and behavior, much of this scholarship focuses on the management of chronic suicidality in the treatment of patients with borderline personality disorder. In this paper, we examine the relationship between complex trauma and the broad spectrum of chronic self-destructive thoughts and behaviors commonly seen in clinical practice. We incorporate perspectives from psychodynamic theory with an emphasis on attachment theory in our understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved. We describe how we use this developmental understanding to address chronic suicidality in ongoing clinical treatment beyond management and safety planning, by providing psychoeducational, cognitive, behavioral and affect-focused strategies that serve to enhance the treatment alliance.
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Metadata
Title
Formulation and Treatment of Chronic Suicidality in Patients with Developmental Trauma
Publication date
01-12-2017
Published in
Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy / Issue 4/2017
Print ISSN: 0022-0116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-017-9362-y