10 Hours / 10 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Assessment and Management of Suicidal Clients is presented by Michele Galietta, Ph.D. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was initially developed for patients with multiple problems, whose therapeutic progress was often hindered by their complex clinical presentations and indefinite challenges, including chronic suicidality. DBT is one of only a few evidence-based treatments effective in reducing suicidal ideation and behaviors. In DBT, self-harm is viewed as an individual’s attempt to cope with or solve a problem, typically intense emotional pain they feel they cannot change or tolerate.

To reduce suicide risk, DBT providers must help individuals identify and implement adaptive solutions (i.e., DBT skills) to the problem. Mental health professionals cannot effectively intervene to reduce suicide risk unless it is known that suicide risk is present. Therefore, this program teaches participants to conduct suicide risk assessments using an evidence-based approach. In addition, participants learn how to assess for direct indicators of suicide risk, indirect indicators of suicide risk, and protective factors. This program teaches DBT providers how to monitor suicidal thoughts and urges so that providers can intervene when the risk for self-harm is high. Lastly, providers learn to effectively examine variables that lead to increased or decreased suicidal thoughts/behaviors over time.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe suicide risk literature
  • 2 Describe risk factors
  • 3 Describe risk assessment
  • 4 Describe chain analysis
  • 5 Describe risk formulation
  • 6 Describe how to use behavioral chain analysis in practice

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals who provide care to individuals experiencing chronic suicidality or self-harm. It emphasizes comprehensive, evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioral treatments, and is suitable for those seeking to enhance their skills in delivering care to individuals with complex mental health needs.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Psychologist
    • Psychiatrist
    • Social Worker
    • Counselor
    • Case Manager
    • Nurse
    • Marriage & Family Therapist
    • Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor
    • Other mental health professionals working with individuals at risk for suicidality or self-harm

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels who wish to build and strengthen their knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of suicidal clients using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). It provides a comprehensive framework for identifying risk, enhancing safety, and applying DBT-informed strategies for suicide prevention and intervention.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to DBT or suicide risk assessment and may have limited experience with evidence-based suicide prevention interventions. They seek to develop core competencies in identifying risk factors, conducting structured risk assessments, implementing safety planning, and applying behavioral chain analysis in clinical practice.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some DBT experience who wish to deepen their understanding of suicide-specific interventions within the DBT framework. Focus is placed on integrating risk assessment into ongoing treatment, conducting repair work following suicidal crises, and enhancing therapist confidence in managing acute and chronic suicide risk.

    • Advanced: Participants who are experienced DBT clinicians or supervisors seeking to refine their skill in conceptualizing and treating high-risk clients. Emphasis is on advanced behavioral analysis, treatment planning for chronic risk, managing therapist burnout and countertransference, and leading suicide-focused consultation team discussions.

  • Practice Setting

    Mental health professionals who work with individuals experiencing chronic suicidality or self-harm typically practice in environments that support comprehensive assessment, crisis intervention, and ongoing therapeutic care. These settings are designed to facilitate evidence-based treatments, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and provide multidisciplinary collaboration to address complex mental health needs. Practitioners may work in both outpatient and inpatient settings, community mental health centers, hospitals, or private practices, where they routinely assess suicide risk, monitor client safety, and implement structured interventions.

    • Outpatient mental health clinics
    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospital psychiatric units (inpatient or partial hospitalization)
    • Crisis stabilization units
    • Private therapy practices
    • School-based mental health programs
    • Substance use treatment facilities
    • Integrated primary care/behavioral health settings
    • Residential treatment centers
    • Telehealth platforms for mental health care
Presented By

Michele Galietta, PhD

Dr. Michele Galietta is Associate Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York where she served as Director of the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program from 2005-2013. Dr. Galietta is a researcher and clinician specializing in the training, adaptation and dissemination of empirically-supported treatments to community and forensic/correctional settings. Her areas of clinical expertise include the assessment and treatment of trauma, self-harm, and suicide across the lifespan. Dr. Galietta has created specialized units and/or consulted to numerous civil, forensic, and correctional settings on risk assessment, risk management, behavioral interventions, and complex needs case formulation.

Dr. Galietta is regarded as a leading expert in the implementation of dialectical behavior therapy. Dr. Galietta is a certified DBT clinician. For over a decade, Dr. Galietta served as a principal trainer for Behavioral Tech, LLC, the company founded by the developer of DBT, Dr. Marsha Linehan. Dr. Galietta has consulted to over 100 agencies in the US and abroad on DBT initiatives. She has worked extensively in public sector settings including state psychiatric hospitals and jails, prisons, and juvenile justice settings. She was principal investigator of an NIMH funded trial of DBT for individuals charged with interpersonal violence or stalking and authored the article, “Adapting DBT for the Treatment of Psychopathy.” She has conducted trainings for New York City Police Officers on mindfulness, communicating with mentally ill individuals, and hostage negotiations. Dr. Galietta has appeared on CNN and Court TV, and has been cited in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Time Magazine, and other media outlets.


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CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).

Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.