Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)

Understand Suicidal Thoughts. Build Coping Tools. Create a Way Through.

CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality) is a structured, evidence-based therapy approach created specifically for people experiencing suicidal thoughts. It’s different from traditional models that focus only on risk assessment. Instead, CAMS is centered on collaboration, compassion, and clarity—offering a path through some of the darkest moments with honesty and support.

In CAMS, we work together to understand what’s behind your suicidal thoughts—not just the symptoms, but the pain, pressure, or hopelessness that’s driving them. Together, we’ll identify what makes life feel unbearable, develop personalized coping strategies, and build a plan that keeps you safe and supported in real life—not just in the therapy room.

Safety is never forced or top-down. Instead, we create a shared understanding of what helps you feel safer and more grounded, including a tailored plan for when suicidal urges intensify. This might include identifying early warning signs, coping tools that actually work for you, and the people or places you can turn to in moments of crisis. The focus is on collaboration, not control—because people are more likely to stay safe when they feel empowered and genuinely heard.

At Momentum Therapy, CAMS is part of our broader commitment to responsive, integrative care. It’s a strong fit for:

  • Teens and young adults navigating intense suicidal thoughts, trauma, identity confusion, or disconnection.

  • Parents looking to better understand and support a suicidal teen, with coordination and clarity around care.

  • Clients already in therapy elsewhere who benefit from suicide-specific support as part of a larger treatment plan.

Whether you’re facing a crisis or struggling quietly with thoughts you’ve never voiced aloud, CAMS creates space to talk about it—and move toward something better. We’re not just aiming for “safe.” We’re working toward connected, meaningful living that helps you want to stay.

Let's talk about what's going on

Need Immediate Help?

If this is a life threatening emergency, call 911 and ask for a crisis intervention trained officer or go to the nearest emergency department.

Please note: I do not provide emergency or 24-hour crisis services. My phone, email, and messaging systems are not monitored continuously and should not be used in the event of a crisis.

If you or someone you care about needs help, please reach out to one of the services listed on the Crisis Resources page—they’re available anytime, day or night, to make sure you’re not alone.

 FAQs


  • CAMS is a suicide-specific treatment framework designed to help people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts feel heard, supported, and empowered to stay safe. Unlike traditional therapy that might focus more broadly on symptoms or diagnoses, CAMS starts with what’s urgent—your safety—and builds a treatment plan around the specific struggles that make life feel unlivable. It’s collaborative, structured, and deeply personal.

  • No. CAMS can be helpful whether you're in acute crisis or just starting to feel overwhelmed by hopelessness or thoughts of not wanting to be here. You don’t need to be in constant distress to benefit. If you’ve ever had suicidal thoughts—or are supporting someone who has—CAMS is a space to understand those thoughts and develop real tools for staying safe and connected.

  • Yes. CAMS focuses on suicidality, but it doesn’t ignore the rest of your life. Many people dealing with suicidal thoughts are also carrying trauma, chronic anxiety, or relational pain. Together, we’ll address the issues that feel most urgent, while making space for the deeper work you may also want to do.

  • Yes. CAMS is used across a wide range of ages and is especially effective with adolescents and emerging adults. It gives structure and language to things that can feel impossible to say, and it builds trust and clarity around what you need to feel safer and more supported. I also involve caregivers when appropriate to strengthen communication and safety at home.

  • If suicidal thoughts have become part of your experience—or if you’re a parent worried about your teen—CAMS can offer a path forward that’s compassionate, clear, and practical. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out. We can schedule a brief consultation to talk about what you’re facing and whether this approach is the right fit.

Reach Out

Have questions or want to see if we’re a good fit? I’d love to hear from you. Whether you're ready to get started or just need more information, you're welcome to reach out. I respond personally to every message.

Let’s take the next step—together.