eiseEducation

This four-part bundle brings together leading clinicians Dr Nick Bendit and Prof Melanie Turner to explore some of the most complex presentations encountered in psychotherapy — chronic suicidality, acute suicidal distress, deliberate self-harm, and voluntary assisted dying (VAD).

Dr Bendit examines the psychodynamic and functional underpinnings of suicidal thoughts and deliberate self-harm, helping clinicians understand the difference between acute and chronic suicidality, the role of countertransference, and how fear of suicide can shape the therapeutic process. Prof Turner complements this with a contemporary clinical and legislative perspective on VAD across Australia and New Zealand, clarifying ethical considerations, grief responses, and professional neutrality. She further addresses acute suicidal distress, introducing evidence-based frameworks, including ASSIP and crisis intervention models, to support effective, timely care.

Together, these webinars integrate theory, clinical experience, and practical tools to help therapists navigate some of the most ethically and emotionally charged situations in mental health practice. Participants will gain clarity, confidence, and compassion in their work with clients struggling at the edges of life and self-preservation.