Examining the characteristics and clinical features of in- and between-session suicide risk assessments among psychiatric outpatients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the characteristics of suicide risk assessments completed using the Decision Tree framework both in and between psychotherapy sessions, clinical features of patients for whom between-session assessments are indicated, and data collected across assessments.

METHOD

Data were collected from 1,358 suicide risk assessments conducted with psychiatric outpatients (N = 41) at elevated suicide risk engaged in care at a psychology training clinic.

RESULTS

Participants completed an average of 4.75 (standard deviation = 4.95) suicide risk assessments (2.81 ± 4.43 between-session assessments) per each month in treatment. Assessment frequency and patient ratings of suicidal desire and intent were each significantly associated with therapist risk level categorizations.

CONCLUSION

The Decision Tree framework's in- and between-session assessments have the potential to be implemented in a routinized format among psychiatric outpatients at elevated suicide risk. Additional research is needed to establish the feasibility and clinical utility of this framework across samples and providers.