Virtual Program - Monthly Meeting
What If a Client Is Thinking About Suicide?
Date: May 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 - 8:30pm MT (Formal program starts at 6:30)
Location: Zoom
6:00 - 6:30pm: An opportunity to chat socially with other members
and/or join a board member for discussion on Chapter Shapers
6:30 - 8:30pm: Chapter Meeting
CCEs: 1.5 in Core Competencies and 0.5 in Resource Development
Speakers: Maria Winters and Steve Berry
Listen below as Stan Ajemian, ICF Colorado Education Director,
talks with Maria Winters and Steve Berry about their topic.
Description:
What do you do when you sense that your client is struggling with something deep and/or painful? Are they feeling like ending their life is an option? The ICF describes referring these clients to a trained clinician, but what happens in the real world? How will you respond? It is not only essential to know what to do - it's a responsibility! While coaches are not clinicians, discussing safety or suicide, and connecting clients with resources is within your scope of practice - and it could save a life.
The CDC reports nearly 5 suicides per hour in the U.S., and talking about is a primary form of prevention. In this workshop, you’ll gain skills to identify signs of crisis, ask the right questions, offer emotional support, and refer out if needed. Don’t wait for a crisis to occur to want this information.
Participants will leave being able to answer the following:
- How do I know if my client is struggling, thinking about suicide, and is safe?
- What warning signs should I look for that might indicate a client might be in crisis or at risk?
- What can I say, and what shouldn't I say if they're considering suicide?
- What are key steps I can take when a client reveals suicidal ideation?
- What is the best way to introduce them to resources?
- How can I support myself while supporting clients through their challenges?
About Our Speakers:
Maria Winters, LCPC is passionate about helping others prioritize emotional wellness. She is a licensed mental health therapist in Maryland with over 20 years of experience supporting adults and teens. She’s a trained life coach, published author, podcast host, and creator of The Emotional Fitness Studio in Annapolis. As founder of The Coaching Therapist, LLC, Maria’s mission is to share practical tools through workshops and training. She is Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Stephen Berry, M.Div, MBA, PCC is an accomplished executive and certified coach, supporting individuals and organizations in navigating change, transitions, and growth. As an ICF PCC, BetterUp Fellow Coach, and LifeRamp360 Coach, he helps clients embrace their next life phase—whether it's career change, grief, or personal transformation. He has worked with companies like Google, the U.S. Air Force, and Capital One, as well as coaching managers and teams across industries such as software, finance, education, and media.
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Please note that AI recordings, notetakers, or any similar
technology is prohibited, except by the host, to protect
confidentiality. Also, a notetaker or bot does not count
toward your attendance of a virtual event. If you'd like
to request an accessibility accommodation to use a
personal notetaker, please contact info@icfcolorado.org.
This policy applies to any ICF Colorado chapter event
including, but not limited to, webinars, Learning Groups,
and Chapter meetings.