Aftermath of a patient's suicide: a case study

Nurse psychotherapists often feel poorly prepared to cope with a patient's death by suicide. The psychotherapist may identify with the family, feel sad at the death, and be plagued by feelings of guilt and responsibility.

A case study illustrates the meaning of the loss to the therapist and the influence on professional identity, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

Case study and review of the literature from Medline, psychinfo, and CINAHL.

Therapists experience their own grief as a lack of omnipotence over suicide, and the fear of their colleagues' responses. Understanding bereavement and factors influencing bereavement may help therapists facilitate and reduce negative consequences of their own grief.