A Phenomenological Investigation of Counselors’ Perceived Preparedness With Suicidal Clients

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the essence of counselors’ perceived preparedness working with suicidal clients and to provide suicide prevention and assessment recommendations for the counseling profession. We identified a structural-textural description that highlights the perceived amount, quality, and components of training preparedness, as well as suicide assessment and intervention knowledge. This phenomenological investigation included 10 professional counselors who described the degree to which they felt prepared to work with suicidal clients and their perceptions of the suicide prevention and assessment training they have completed during their training program and in their agency work setting. Counselors did not generally feel that their training had been adequate and subsequently sought more through personal learning or on-the-job training. Counselors should seek out evidence-based trainings that best meet the needs of their clients.