Professional Certificate in Working with Suicide and Self-Harm
LEVEL
Professional Development
AWARD
PCI College Professional Certificate in Working with Suicide and Self-harm
COURSE STATUS
Open for Applications
DURATION
5
day(s)
Full-Time
DELIVERY
Online
COMMENCEMENT DATE
TBD
LOCATIONS
Online
Working with suicide and self-harm is one of the most sensitive and high-stakes areas of therapeutic practice.
This professional PCI College certificate provides a vital, in-depth space for practitioners to move beyond fear and uncertainty, equipping you with the grounding, knowledge, and confidence to respond effectively. By focusing on both clinical best practices and the maintenance of a compassionate therapeutic alliance, this course empowers you to create safety, foster hope, and provide life-saving support for clients navigating profound emotional distress.
DATE
- Saturday June 27th
- Sunday June 28th
- Saturday July 25th
- Sunday July 26th
- Sunday August 15th
From 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Online
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- Attend all 5 days
- Prepare a poster presentation, which will be presented on Day 5 and address the following: Theory, Case presentation, Reflexive Statement, Implication for Practice, References
- Reflexive statement
Who is this course for?
This programme is designed for professionals who provide support to individuals in crisis. It is tailored for those who wish to develop deep insight into responding to the needs of clients while maintaining their own professional resilience.Â
- Counsellors & Psychotherapists:Â Build essential, evidence-based skills to manage high-risk presentations within the therapeutic relationship.Â
- Helping Professionals:Â Psychologists, social care workers, GPs, and residential care workers will gain structured approaches to crisis intervention.Â
- Students in Training:Â Gain the foundational confidence, clinical frameworks, and reflexive practice needed for professional development.Â
- Allied Health Professionals:Â Develop the ability to respond to suicide ideation and self-harm with clarity, compassion, and professional assurance.Â
What are the benefits of doing this course?
This course provides a comprehensive toolkit for managing complex crisis situations, balancing clinical safety with the emotional demands placed on the practitioner.Â
- Clinical Confidence:Â Replace fear with “clinical assurance,” learning how to assess risk and respond rather than react.Â
- Theoretical Depth:Â Gain a deep understanding of why individuals choose suicide to end emotional pain or self-harm to cope with distress.Â
- Professional Sustainability: Address the “heavy” nature of this work by learning how to support your own wellbeing and maintain healthy boundaries.Â
- Practical Mastery: Master the ability to navigate the complex relationship between suicide and self-harm, utilising proven strategies for client safety.Â
What will you learn?
The curriculum is experiential in nature, blending theory, case studies, and reflexive practice to prepare you for the realities of clinical work.Â
- Core Theory:Â Exploring the relationship between suicide and self-harm, including myths, facts, and the drivers of these behaviours.Â
- Risk Assessment:Â Learning to assess levels of risk and implement evidence-based protocols for intervention.Â
- The Therapeutic Alliance: Techniques to maintain a compassionate, care-focused relationship while holding space for extreme distress.Â
- Reflexive Practice: Developing the self-awareness required to understand your own reactions and maintain your professional wellbeing.Â
- Applied Skills:Â Through case presentations and experiential work, you will translate theoretical knowledge into concrete practice for your daily work.Â
Day 1 – Working with suicide
- Introduction
- House Keeping
- Expectations of course
- Boundaries and Confidentiality
Suicide Module/Morning
- Definition and present Prevalence Rates
- Warning Signs/Increased Risk Factors
- React/Respond.
- Correct Language to use
- Myths and Facts of Suicide
- Conducting Risk Assessment
Suicide Module/Afternoon
- Suicide Intervention Module of therapy
- Key Goals of Therapy/Therapeutic Relationship
- Coping Strategies/Solution focused CBT /DBT
- Closing Plan
- Case Studies/Role play
- Duty of care/Self- care
Day 2 – Working with Self Harm
- Check in/questions re previous day
- Introduction to self- harm Module
- Definition/Rates
- Correct language
- Working with presentation of self- harm/Label Exercise/Case studies
- Meaning and Function/Video
- Moving from self-harm to self-care/New strategies
Day 3 – Working with children and adolescents engaging in self harm and struggling with suicide ideation
- Initial intake and Risk Assessment protocolÂ
- Child protection /confidentiality/duty of careÂ
- Understanding Child development and cognitive ability/Impact of early Child hood TraumaÂ
- The Highly sensitive Child/Issues young people present withÂ
- The Therapeutic relationship/mediums to engage with children and adolescentÂ
- Supporting parents and Managing Parental ConflictÂ
Day 4 – Policies & Procedures/Best Practice
- Policies and Procedures to ensure best practice/Initial intake forms/Risk Assessment/confidentiality/parental consent etc.
- Note taking when working with high risk clients
- Coroner court proceedings and giving evidence following loss of client through suicide
- The importance of self care and recognising burnout
Day 5
- Poster presentations
- The changing world and the new norm for therapists post Covid/Technology and new ways of connecting creating a safe space
- New issues that are presenting as a result of pandemic that will increase risk
- Importance of supervision
- Group closing and fun exercise
Eligibility
Applicants must have an existing qualification as a practicing counsellor, psycotherapist, social worker or in the social and allied health professions.
IT Skills
Students require sufficient IT skills to complete the course.
Additional Entry Requirements
Students can expect to be provided with advice and support concerning any learning difficulties that they may encounter. Any diagnosed learning difficulty, e.g. dyslexia, must be noted on the application
Fees
Standard Rate: Applies to all non-affiliated participants.
PCI College Graduate: Discounted rate available for graduates of BSc Degree and Postgraduate programmes.
Current BSc/MSc Students & Alumni Members: Preferential rate available. Join our Alumni Group on LinkedIn to access this discount
Course Fees – Northern Ireland
Course Total