Books for Clinicians

Please note this is just a sample of books available and is simply a recommended reading list. SSN by no means promotes one book over the other and wishes to make clear the information in these books is meant to supplement, not replace, professional training.

Dead Reckoning: A Therapist Confronts His Own Grief

David C. Treadway, BasicBooks, 1996.

Now a successful family therapist, the author was just twenty when his mother, a longtime alcoholic, took her own life. Even as he counsels his clients on how to deal with death, loss, and grief, he finds himself increasingly unable to manage his own. Turning to his own therapist for help, Treadway brings the reader along on his journey of healing as he finally comes to terms with his mother’s death.

Grief after Suicide: Understanding the Consequences and Caring for the Survivors

John R. Jordan, Ph.D., and John McIntosh, Ph.D. (Eds.), Routledge, 2011.

Combining research literature, clinical theory, and extensive practical experience working with survivors of suicide loss, two of the field’s leading experts offer a comprehensive, professionally oriented exploration of bereavement after suicide. Topics include interventions to provide bereavement care for survivors and the development of research, clinical, and programmatic agendas for future efforts.

Suicide and Its Aftermath: Understanding and Counseling the Survivors

Edward Dunne, John McIntosh, and Karen Dunne-Maxim (Eds.), W.W. Norton, 1987.

This compilation of articles and essays captures many aspects of the experience of surviving a suicide loss. Although written by and for professional counselors, its readable style makes the book appropriate for the general public as well.

Therapeutic and Legal Issues for Therapists Who Have Survived a Client Suicide: Breaking the Silence

Kayla Miriyam Weiner, The Haworth Press, 2005.

This unique volume explores the firsthand experiences of “clinician-survivors” — mental health professionals who have lost clients and patients to suicide.

A Culture of Caring: A suicide Prevention Guide for Schools (K-12)

Theodora Schiro

This is about saving lives. Designed as a handbook for busy educators, readers will find information about risk factors, prevention, intervention, and postvention, along with commentary from experts in the field.