Managing Suicidal Risk

“Provides a clear and flexible framework for the treatment of suicidal behavior in outpatient settings.”

—Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (on the second edition)


“This book is indubitably a masterpiece and ought to benefit providers and patients alike....Those of us who, due to the nature of our practice or preference, can see the patients along the continuum—from inpatient to outpatient care—will gain a lot from this book.”

—Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (on the first edition)


“User-friendly....This manual packs quite a wallop for a book so deceptively easy to read. It is a genuine advance in the state of the art and science of suicide prevention.”

—PsycCRITIQUES (on the first edition)


“David Jobes, an expert in the field of suicidology, offers an innovative method of approaching...assessment, treating, and tracking outcomes with suicidal individuals....The text is likely to resonate with a wide variety of clinicians, from the novice to the expert with years of experience.”

—Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic (on the first edition)


“No mental health professional is immune to the possibility of working with suicidal clients, and it is imperative that every clinician learn how to deliver expert care in order to save lives. The third edition of this book is a resource that every clinician would benefit from reading and drawing on in times of crisis. It offers a practical, empathic, evidence-based approach that draws on decades of experience and refinements. Jobes has once again provided an extremely valuable work for clinicians everywhere looking for ways to improve the lives of their most high-risk clients.”

—Shireen L. Rizvi, PhD, ABPP, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey


“Through his remarkable, sustained 40-year career focused on studying and helping people who experience suicidal thoughts and behavior, Jobes has moved the field toward a more patient-centered approach. An emphasis on the patient's perspective and the clinical alliance is reflected in the four pillars of CAMS: empathy, collaboration, honesty, and suicide focus. In the third edition of this book, Jobes walks the reader through the journey of his discoveries, includes useful clinical vignettes, and provides a practical roadmap for incorporating CAMS into any clinical practice.”

—Christine Yu Moutier, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention


“The third edition of this volume is notable for its readability and instructiveness. Very useful details about how best to implement CAMS with clients are seamlessly merged with empirical data supporting the approach. Many examples of successful (and less optimal) client outcomes, helpful worksheets, frequently asked questions, and innovative applications, including using CAMS via telehealth, contribute to the book's clinical utility. Adoption of the comprehensive CAMS framework will help allay the anxiety that clinicians experience when treating suicidal clients. The wealth of clinical wisdom imparted throughout this book makes it a 'must read.'”

—Anthony Spirito, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University


“CAMS is arguably one of the most widely used approaches to clinical care for suicidal patients. Jobes's third edition outlines the latest advances and refinements to this incredibly effective patient-centered approach. User-friendly and accessible, the CAMS model can be readily integrated into any clinician’s therapeutic practice, regardless of background or training. The documentation templates provide an added bonus by helping clinicians ensure they meet standards of care surrounding risk assessment and documentation. Every clinician should pick up a copy of this book and keep it within easy reach.”

—Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, Trott Gebhardt Philips Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University