William G. Kirk, Ph.D
Department of Psychology
Eastern IL University
Charleston, 1161920
217-581-2127
cfwgk@eiu.edu
(Due to a death in the family, the presenter was unable to attend CONVENING. The summary he provided is posted for
your information and to enable you to contact him should you wish further information.) Suicide is generally perceived as a catastrophic event. The adaptation and adjustment to a suicide is also typically
characterized by intense feelings and thoughts that are, at times, difficult to manage. Exaggerated feelings of guilt, remorse,
anger, depression and confusion are common. Crisis worker (CW) are taxed maximally when confronted with suicide
debriefing or suicide bereavement counseling, however developing a framework for interventions that include information
and skills related to catastrophic loss and complicated mourning can assist the CW immeasurably.
This presentation will focus on the uniqueness of loss related to suicide, focus on some of the commonality associated with
noncomplicated losses and emphasize concepts of flexibility and creativity in helping suicide survivors create a conceptual
framework for their personal bereavement. Assisting clients in reacquiring affective control will be addressed along with
strategies related to assisting survivors in how to conceptualize suicide.
Small group discussion/interaction and lecture will be used throughout the workshop.
The workshop facilitator is a survivor of family suicide. His father took his own life early in Dr. Kirk's professional life.
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