The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: CBT Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide Paperback – July 1, 2021

When you need to keep your mind busy during these times, this is a good tool.

This book has been very helpful for my wife who has attempted a few times.

The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook is written by Kathryn Gordon, PhD, who is a therapist that does work with suicidal clients. This book was one of the best books I have ever read about suicide. It give practical worksheets (some of which are downloadable from the book’s website) as well as a cheering on for making this far. Dr. Gordon uses perfect examples of how to answer the questions if you get stuck or have trouble answering them. There are no right or wrong answers and she encourages you throughout the book. I highly recommend this book for people who have suicidal thoughts, loved ones who have people with suicidal thoughts, as well as professionals that work with suicidal clients.

Dr. Gordon approaches suicidality in a non-judgmental genuine way. Throughout the workbook, she validates feelings, encourages self-reflection and blends in solid research. I feel she’s leading me on a journey of understanding myself, and also that of humanity. As the workbook progresses, more challenging questions arise, provoking deeper contemplation. Dr. Gordon manages to make a complex process into some thing everyone can understand. It’s well written, based on solid evidence but most of all, very genuine. This book is more than the topic of suicide, it is a book about validation, love, courage and hope. I wish I had this work book in my residency years. In my psychiatric practice, I deal with patients with suicidal thoughts; what I’ve learned her will improve my practice.

What a great resource for individuals who are struggles with thoughts of suicide. Dr. Gordon is the perfect trio of teacher, clinician, and researcher, and her book comes across as informative without being overly technical. If used as a self-help book, one feels that the author is present as she encourages and validates the reader after various exercises. She seems to perfectly predict what a client might say next and responds accordingly with research, a reframe, or thoughts for continued discussion.As a mental health practitioner, I use many of the strategies and assessments when working with my own clients. I have found this resource so helpful for both clients and families who are supporting a loved one with suicidal thoughts. I can't speak highly enough of this book--it's a must read.

As a psychology graduate student, I was really excited to come across such a great resource for suicide prevention! I like that it is suitable for a broad range of audiences (e.g., patient, student, practitioner, loved ones of someone with suicidal ideation). I also like the mixture of material (e.g., information about concepts like types of suicidal thoughts; exercises to relate it back to the user; clear examples of exercises; scenarios). Suicidality is incredibly complex, so having a workbook that covers the subject in an extensive yet approachable manner is wonderful. I also love Alyse Ruriani's illustrations! It incorporates evidence-based approaches for coping with suicidal thinking. It also has worksheets throughout that can easily be filled out by the user (e.g., crisis plan summary sheet). I am sure that many people will find this workbook incredibly useful!

This book contains useful material and exercises, but only for a limited subset of suicidal people. If you're having suicidal thoughts because of difficult or distressing circumstances (bereavement, job loss, divorce, financial trouble, homelessness, etc) then this book may well be helpful. But if you are suicidal not because of external circumstancesbut because of internal demons - depression, self-loathing, personality disorder, childhood trauma, etc - it is totally useless, even harmful. The chapter on hope for example asks the reader to list things they look forward to - impossible, pointless and discouraging for someone who is in a state where they cannot even imagine a life they would want to live, or anything they want to do. The entire book is written on the premise that the reader essentially wants to live, but is facing some kind of practical obstacle or setback that they fear they cannot overcome.This is a surprising omission from a professional clinical psychologist, and there is not even any kind of disclaimer in the introduction (e.g. "this book is not suitable for people who..."). And as another reviewer notes, the book is not helpful if you are having suicidal thoughts because of severe chronic physical pain. So before buying this book, whether for yourself or someone else, consider carefully whether it covers the problem you are dealing with.

As a therapist, psychotherapy trainer, and supervisor, I have long lamented the absence of this book in our professional world. Helping clients to manage suicidal thoughts is often so poorly taught, I think partly because professors and supervisors aren't comfortable enough (because they aren't equipped well enough!) This book should be in every therapist's hands, and then on every therapist's bookshelf so they can read it again next year, pull out that perfect activity, or copy that essential chapter for a client in immediate need. This workbook is incredibly compassionate and thorough, gentle and practical. There's no shying away from any difficult topics, and everything is handled with steadfast confidence in and grace for the reader. This is an indispensable resource for therapists, and I have no doubt it will be life-saving for clients.