In this episode, we speak with Dr Francis McGivern about his recently published book ‘Life after a Partners Suicide Attempt’.

Life After a Partner’s Suicide Attempt is the first publication to document in depth the lived experiences of the partners of individuals who have attempted to take their own lives. Although no one has died, the ramifications are, nonetheless, life-changing and permanent.

Research in suicidology has paid virtually no attention to these partners, other than to explore their role as caregiver.

Based on a series of sensitively conducted interviews, Dr. McGivern proposes a psychotherapeutic pathway towards recovery through exploration of personal trauma, relationship injury, reactivation of adverse childhood experiences, ambiguous loss, boundary ambiguity, as well as post-traumatic growth.

He highlights implications for psychotherapy training and research and makes recommendations for practice and policy.

Written with both the general reader and practitioners in mind, the author’s goal is to share the extensive insights he has gained through his research and in doing so, to give voice to partners worldwide who silently endure the aftermath of their loved one’s suicide attempt.