Agency Responses to Counselor Survivors of Client Suicide

Never ready: Addictions counselors dealing with client death

“…Upon the extant literature review, one area of exploration that is relevant to client death and its impact on counselors is the topic that pertains to client suicide. The research on the impact of client suicide on counselors and their organizations has recently generated increased attention (Darden & Rutter, 2011; Draper et al., 2014; Fairman et al., 2014; Wagner et al., 2020). Client suicide appears to affect counselors on a personal and professional scope (Wagner et al., 2020) and could be traumatic for the counselor (Grad & Michel, 2004).…”

“…The research on the impact of client suicide on counselors and their organizations has recently generated increased attention (Darden & Rutter, 2011; Draper et al., 2014; Fairman et al., 2014; Wagner et al., 2020). Client suicide appears to affect counselors on a personal and professional scope (Wagner et al., 2020) and could be traumatic for the counselor (Grad & Michel, 2004). After losing a client to suicide, researchers suggest that counselors experience a range of emotions including anger, denial, powerlessness, shock, self‐doubt, betrayal, sadness, self‐blame, regret, fear, grief, and shame (Campbell & Fahy, 2002; Draper et al., 2014; Ting et al., 2006; Veilleux, 2011; Wagner et al., 2020).…”

“…Client suicide appears to affect counselors on a personal and professional scope (Wagner et al., 2020) and could be traumatic for the counselor (Grad & Michel, 2004). After losing a client to suicide, researchers suggest that counselors experience a range of emotions including anger, denial, powerlessness, shock, self‐doubt, betrayal, sadness, self‐blame, regret, fear, grief, and shame (Campbell & Fahy, 2002; Draper et al., 2014; Ting et al., 2006; Veilleux, 2011; Wagner et al., 2020). They may also experience somatic symptoms such as sleep inconsistencies, diminished appetite, and difficulties with maintaining concentration (Linke et al., 2002).…”

“…Additionally, counselors may believe that they neglected their responsibility in preventing the client's death and consequently lose their professional confidence (Christianson & Everall, 2009; Draper et al., 2014). They may also become more hypervigilant toward documentation, detecting any living client's future suicidal ideation, and pursuing consultation with peers and supervisors (Draper et al., 2014; Fairman et al., 2014; Veilleux, 2011; Wagner et al., 2020).…”

“…Considering the implications of the death of an individual with a SUD on surrounding supports, it is important to explore how the death of a client can impact their counselor (Mcauley & Forsyth, 2011). While some research has explored the impact of client death such as suicide and/or accidental death on counselors (Darden & Rutter, 2011; Draper et al., 2014; Fairman et al., 2014; Wagner et al., 2020; Veilleux, 2011) and how personal bereavement affects counselor functionality (Broadbent, 2013), to our best knowledge, no researchers have explored how counselors working in the addictions field experience client death and how they cope with the experience that could accompany substantial distress. We acknowledge that not every death that occurs while the client is in treatment is caused by substance misuse.…”