Professional Certificate in Working with Suicidal People

About this CPD:

This four day IACP CPD Approved (24 Hours) Professional Certificate is suitable for Psychotherapists & Counsellors (Student/Pre-Accredited/Accredited), Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Care Workers, Nurses, Doctors, Residential Care Workers and other Allied Health professionals. It is research informed, cutting edge and aligned with best practice. This course covers child, adolescent and adult work and is in line with professionally high standards, bridging the gaps between research, theory and practice.

About Leo:

Leo Muckley (MIACP), your facilitator, holds a MSc in Psychotherapy and Counselling and is currently undertaking his PhD. He also holds a L9 Cert in Digital Enabled Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and has delivered MSc tutorials, plenary sessions, workshops and talks in the past.

Leo is a multi award winning researcher practitioner with a special focus on the area of suicide and therapy. He runs a full time private practice in Glengarriff, West Cork, Ireland working mostly with suicidal clients. Leo published his research on working with suicidal clients in 2024, going on to present it both nationally and internationally. He also writes a monthly mental health column in the West Cork People newspaper and is currently involved in an international research project on Relational Depth.

Leo will bring his lived, academic, research and practice experience to this unique CPD which covers what core training, safeTALK, ASIST and other courses do not. Gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to work with one of the most challenging presenting issues in the therapy room.

When:

The course will take place on the 24th & 25th October and 7th & 8th November 2026.

Investment:

€175 non-refundable deposit to book your place paid in full by using the booking facility below. 

Two remaining instalments of €200, paid on 1st August and 1st September 2026 respectively before the course starts. Leo will contact you with payment details when each instalment is due in 

Course Content

Methods of teaching and learning: 

Didactic teaching, group workshopping, interactive elements, breakout rooms, self led exercises and experiential group learning. Personal sharing, sharing client work and experiential group processing are not expected. They are welcomed if a participant does want to share or process in such ways.

Syllabus:

Day One: 

09:30 - 10:30

Introduction & Hellos

House Keeping

Expectations of course

Boundaries and Confidentiality

Setting self care

Grounding

10:30 - 11:30

Etymology of suicide

Warning signs & risk factors

What does suicide mean to me? An exploration of self

11:45 - 13:00

The language of suicide

Models of understanding suicide

14:00 - 15:30

Risk assessment or risk exploration? Part 1

15:45 - 16:30

Risk assessment or risk exploration? Part 2

Is therapy the same as suicide prevention?

Grounding and check out

Day Two:

09:30 - 10:30

Check in and questions

Gaps left or filled from Day One

Grounding

What does suicide mean in theory?

10:30 - 11:30

Theories of suicide

11:45 - 13:00

The literature and research on suicide

Should practice always be evidence based?

14:00 - 15:30

Evidence based practice Part 1

15:45 - 16:30

Evidence based practice Part 2

Grounding and check out

Day Three:

09:30 - 10:30

Check in and questions

Gaps left or filled from Day Two

Grounding

What does suicide mean in practice?

10:30 - 11:30

International best practice

Ethics of working with suicidal people: Child protection, confidentiality, contracting and duty of care

11:45 - 13:00

Ethics continued

Do children, adults and adolescents differ?

14:00 - 15:30

From research to theory and into practice: skills for working with suicidal people Part 1

15:45 - 16:30

From research to theory and into practice: skills for working with suicidal people Part 2

Grounding and check out

Day Four:

09:30 - 10:30

Check in and questions

Gaps left or filled from Day Three

Grounding

What does suicide mean to me now?

10:30 - 11:30

What about self harm?

Case studies

11:45 - 13:00

One best approach? Exploring how to work with suicide regardless of theoretical background Part 1

14:00 - 15:30

One best approach? Exploring how to work with suicide regardless of theoretical background Part 2

Note taking

Legal aspects

Skills practice

15:45 - 16:30

Key goals for working with suicidal people

Takeaways and lessons learned

Duty of care, including self care and supervision

Closing Plan

Grounding and goodbyes

Important:

It is assumed that all professionals taking part in this CPD will be resourced to do so, eg: peer support, personal therapy and/or supervision, considering the sensitive and potentially activating nature of the topic. However, the course is intentionally designed and run inclusive of grounding, co-regulation, holding space and building of safety to ensure it can be undertaken with ease. This is extremely important as it ensures that all participants can engage in learning to the best of their ability without being in a state of nervous system activation. However, if you have experienced suicidal behaviours (not thoughts) or been bereaved by suicide in the past 6 months this course may not be suitable for you. If you want to enquire about the course's suitability for you specifically then please reach out to me directly before booking.

Questions and Enquiries:

Contact Leo on 0851300573 or info@leomuckley.com

2025 Testimonials for this CPD:

Sheila Burton

This course has equipped me with the confidence and knowledge to work with a client who is thinking of ending their life. Leo's delivery was informative, and thorough and his approach was inclusive and gentle and I always felt safe and supported. The theoretical and practical elements were well balanced and included interaction with my peers which was helpful in developing connections and sharing information. This was a fantastic course on all levels and I would highly recommend it.

Sean Glynn

I was privileged to be a part of this course. I learned so much through the two weekends.

I am delighted i was able to enhance my learning by taking this wonderful course. Leo's passion and expertise were evident all through and space allowed for the experience and expertise of all participants added to a very rich experience.

Mary Pierce

This course was excellent. Leo is a wonderful and generous facilitator. He relayed valuable information with ease and kept it interesting all the way through. He also used humour which was a wonderful way to keep this difficult subject human. I have had to cope with loosing someone close to me by suicide so was a little concerned with how this course would land with me but Leo held the group really well with empathy and care. I urge anyone thinking about doing this course to please sign up, you will come away with courage and understanding for a better way to support your clients. 

Geraldine Curtis

Leo deals with a challenging subject with humour, warmth, insight and experience. The course was very informative and now I feel equipped to deal with suicide in the therapy room. The mix of learning methods used was interesting and enjoyable; I was never bored. 

Kate Lahser

I experienced this course as highly informative from the theory, skills, and experiential learning. The lecturer was empathic, informed and knowledgeable. He shared his experiences of what was effective when working with suicidal people. I would highly recommend this course 

Laura Aylward

It was an honour to be part of the inaugural group for this training programme. Leo held the space so well over the 2 weekends. For such a heavy topic, and being in a "room" with so many who have been impacted personally, this could have been a very triggering time for many.  Leo encouraged questions and was so respectful in his responses. It was great to hear so much from his own professional experience. I gained so much knowledge from the training. I was a little apprehensive about taking part as a 2nd year student, but I am so delighted I took the plunge. I feel much more confident now and am so grateful to Leo. 

Gemma O'Connell Duff

Leo is knowledgeable, confident, patient and very grounded. The course is very robust.

Rocio Llopart

Thank you, Leo. This course was truly profound and full of valuable knowledge and deep reflections.

Feeling very grateful for the opportunity to learn from Leo and the amazing group of therapists in this course. There are so many insights to keep exploring and reflecting on.

Perry Shaw

Thank you Leo for facilitating a well worth while course.

Sophie Little

I found this course inspiring information and transformative. I invested my bank holiday weekend training and I do not regret it! Wow, what a rich training. I highly recommend.

Cancellation Policy, Terms and Conditions:

Deposit
To reserve your place on the course, a non-refundable deposit of €175 is required. This deposit is part of the full course fee and must be paid at the time of registration to secure your booking via the booking facility below.

Payment of Full Course Fee
The full course fee must be received by 1st October 2026. If payment is not made by this date, your place on the course may be forfeited.

Changes to the Programme
Every effort is made to deliver the courses as advertised. However, I reserve the right to make appropriate changes to the course content or structure, if necessary. Should any changes occur, students will be notified at the earliest opportunity.

Cancellation by the Student

Cancellations made before 1st September 2026 will receive a refund of the amount that has been received exclusive of non-refundable booking deposit.

Cancellations made after 1st September 2026 will not be eligible for a refund inclusive of non-refundable booking deposit, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Cancellation by the Programme Provider
Courses are subject to demand and the formation of a viable class. In the event that the programme does not proceed due to low enrolment or other unforeseen circumstances, a full refund, including the deposit, will be provided to all applicants.

Contact for Cancellations or Changes
For all cancellations, payment inquiries or requests for changes, please contact me directly via email or phone as soon as possible.