Abstract
Objective
This research aimed to assess the frequency and impact of client suicides on psychologists in Australia.
Method
Participants were 178 psychologists who completed an online self‐report questionnaire concerning the frequency of occurrence and impact of client suicide.
Result
Fifty six (31.5%) participants reported one or more client suicides. Psychologists with more years of experience reported more client suicides. Participants who had experienced a client suicide reported a range of emotional, cognitive and behavioural reactions as well as professional impacts. Ratings of responsibility, preventability and predictability of a client suicide were associated with emotional and/or professional impacts. Beneficial coping responses included talking to supervisors and colleagues, recognising the psychologist is not responsible and having increased acceptance of a client suicide.
Conclusions
The findings have important implications for training, workplace practices and research.