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Assessing “Passive Death Wishes” vs Active Suicidality in Session (3 CEU's)'
HIGH-RISK & CLINICAL EDGE CASES
Assessing “Passive Death Wishes” vs Active Suicidality in Session – 2 CEUs
Overview:
Mental health clinicians frequently encounter clients who express statements such as “I wish I could disappear,” “I’m tired of being here,” or “I wouldn’t care if I didn’t wake up tomorrow.” These statements can create significant uncertainty regarding level of risk, clinical urgency, and appropriate intervention. Distinguishing between passive death wishes and active suicidal ideation is one of the most nuanced and high-stakes responsibilities in clinical practice. Misinterpretation can result in overreacting and damaging therapeutic rapport, underestimating risk, or creating ethical and legal vulnerabilities for clinicians.
In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, will guide participants through a practical and clinically grounded approach to differentiating passive thoughts of death from active suicidality during assessment and treatment. Participants will explore key distinctions in suicidal language, intent, planning, means, and psychological drivers while examining common gray areas and complex presentations that often challenge clinical judgment. Special attention will be given to clients who minimize symptoms, present with chronic passive ideation, use vague language, or display high functioning despite elevated risk. Attendees will learn strategies to conduct thorough and compassionate risk assessments, ask direct questions without increasing risk, strengthen documentation practices, and make ethically informed treatment decisions. Through case examples and clinical scenarios, participants will leave with increased confidence in navigating one of therapy’s most critical and anxiety-provoking areas.
Objectives:
Differentiate passive death wishes from active suicidal ideation using key clinical indicators and assessment criteria.
Identify factors that increase suicide risk, including intent, planning, capability, protective factors, and high-risk presentations.
Apply evidence-informed assessment and documentation strategies to support ethical clinical decision-making and treatment planning.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of assessing passive death wishes versus active suicidality in clinical settings. Participants will learn practical assessment frameworks and intervention considerations related to suicide risk evaluation. This training is educational in nature and does not certify participants in crisis intervention, emergency psychiatric evaluation, or specialized suicide assessment models. Attendees are expected to apply the information within their professional scope of practice, ethical guidelines, and applicable state laws and regulations.
Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to therapeutic models, interventions, assessment tools, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.
Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.
HIGH-RISK & CLINICAL EDGE CASES
Assessing “Passive Death Wishes” vs Active Suicidality in Session – 2 CEUs
Overview:
Mental health clinicians frequently encounter clients who express statements such as “I wish I could disappear,” “I’m tired of being here,” or “I wouldn’t care if I didn’t wake up tomorrow.” These statements can create significant uncertainty regarding level of risk, clinical urgency, and appropriate intervention. Distinguishing between passive death wishes and active suicidal ideation is one of the most nuanced and high-stakes responsibilities in clinical practice. Misinterpretation can result in overreacting and damaging therapeutic rapport, underestimating risk, or creating ethical and legal vulnerabilities for clinicians.
In this presentation, Dr. Zairys Feliz, Ph.D., LCSW, will guide participants through a practical and clinically grounded approach to differentiating passive thoughts of death from active suicidality during assessment and treatment. Participants will explore key distinctions in suicidal language, intent, planning, means, and psychological drivers while examining common gray areas and complex presentations that often challenge clinical judgment. Special attention will be given to clients who minimize symptoms, present with chronic passive ideation, use vague language, or display high functioning despite elevated risk. Attendees will learn strategies to conduct thorough and compassionate risk assessments, ask direct questions without increasing risk, strengthen documentation practices, and make ethically informed treatment decisions. Through case examples and clinical scenarios, participants will leave with increased confidence in navigating one of therapy’s most critical and anxiety-provoking areas.
Objectives:
Differentiate passive death wishes from active suicidal ideation using key clinical indicators and assessment criteria.
Identify factors that increase suicide risk, including intent, planning, capability, protective factors, and high-risk presentations.
Apply evidence-informed assessment and documentation strategies to support ethical clinical decision-making and treatment planning.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with an overview of assessing passive death wishes versus active suicidality in clinical settings. Participants will learn practical assessment frameworks and intervention considerations related to suicide risk evaluation. This training is educational in nature and does not certify participants in crisis intervention, emergency psychiatric evaluation, or specialized suicide assessment models. Attendees are expected to apply the information within their professional scope of practice, ethical guidelines, and applicable state laws and regulations.
Financial and Commercial Disclosure
The presenter has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose. Any references to therapeutic models, interventions, assessment tools, or resources are included solely for educational purposes. Participants are not required to purchase any additional materials to complete this course.
Refund Policy – Live CE Trainings (Virtual & In-Person)
All registrations for live CE trainings are subject to this refund policy. By enrolling, participants agree to these terms. Cancellations made 7 days or more prior to the scheduled training date are eligible for a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee, or participants may elect to receive a full credit toward a future training. Cancellations made less than 7 days before the scheduled training are non-refundable; however, registrations may be transferred to another eligible training or another attendee with prior written approval. Participants who fail to attend a scheduled live training, do not complete attendance requirements, or fail to satisfy course participation requirements are not eligible for refunds or CEUs. If a training is canceled or rescheduled by the provider, registrants will be offered either a full refund or the opportunity to transfer to another training. Refunds will not be issued if participants are unable to earn CEUs due to incomplete attendance, failure to complete required evaluations, or licensing board eligibility restrictions.