Description

“Do I really want to tell you?”: A CASE Approach to Uncovering Suicidal Ideation 

September 23, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. EST

Facilitator:

Dr. Heath Hightower, Ph.D., MSW, ACSW, LCSW, LICSW

The Chronological Assessment of Suicide Events (CASE) Approach is a clinical interviewing approach developed by Shawn Christopher Shea to facilitate candid conversations about a client’s suicide risk. The approach applies six validity techniques to assess presenting, recent, past, and immediate suicidality experiences sequentially. This professional development program: 1. Provides current suicide mortality data 2. Describes research findings related to client non-disclosure of suicide 3. Highlights tips for addressing clients’ reluctance to discuss suicide 4. Defines the six CASE validity techniques with examples 5. Details the steps for conducting a CASE approach assessment with a real clinician-client dialogue (client information has been de-identified). 6. Outlines possible clinical interventions resulting from the CASE Approach