About this event

The Psychodynamics of the Pathway to Suicide - Dr Rachel Gibbons and Rob Hale 

What if suicide is not simply a matter of risk, but a tragic solution to psychic pain that cannot be thought, symbolised, or borne? In this seminar, Dr Rachel Gibbons presents a clinically grounded five-stage model of the psychodynamic pathway to suicide. This model—based on contemporary psychoanalytic theory, coronial data, and in-depth interviews with survivors—traces the internal psychic processes that precede suicide. Dr Gibbons explores six recurring suicidal fantasies (merging, revenge, punishment, assassination, dicing with death, and separation), and how these can be used for clinical formulation.

Dr Rachel Gibbons is Vice Chair of the Psychotherapy Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a leading voice on the emotional impact of suicide and homicide in clinical practice. She chaired the RCPsych Working Group on the Effect of Suicide and Homicide for six years and previously led the College’s Patient Safety Group. A psychoanalyst, group analyst, and consultant psychiatrist, she has worked in the NHS for over 20 years, developed national guidance on staff support, and received the RCPsych President’s Medal in 2024.

This lecture will be recorded and available for 7 days after the lecture takes place.

© Image: Matthew Kolakowski, 'Storm Inside' 2010

REFUND POLICY: Tickets are fully refundable until 14 days before the lecture, after which time no refunds will be issued.

Concession tickets are available, for students, BPAS candidates and NHS trainees and nurses. Please email [email protected] if you are unsure if you qualify for a concession ticket.

Views and opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Institute, event organisers or other speakers. We expect delegates to respect the confidentiality of clinical material discussed in our events. The content must not be recorded, conveyed or disseminated in any format and participants must not share access to the event with non-registered participants.

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