It can be very difficult dealing with people who have severe problems. Suicidal teenagers present an especially grave danger and responsibility, because there is a very good chance that they will carry out their threats.

Your initial sessions may begin with a simple, basic question, such as, "Why do you think you are here?"

Your client may not want to cooperate. You may receive frustrating responses, such as "Who cares? I just wish that I wasn’t here, and that I was dead. Nothing matters to me any more and I don't want to live." More aggressive teenagers may be more difficult: "You can’t make me do anything. You can’t tell me what to do. I’ll do whatever I want." This may well erode your confidence about your own your abilities!

Clients may also attack you verbally: "What do you want from me?" You will feel uneasy and defensive, because you had no intention of harming them.

They may blame others: "My father’s the one who should be here. He’s the one who’s crazy, not me, but he's not coming here." It is common to attribute the brunt of the attack to the father image.

Others may chip away at your feelings of authority: "You really think you'll be able to help me?"

These defensive reactions are quite understandable. They come from a person who has given up on society.