Workshop Description:
One of the most challenging problems for clinicians and other professionals is dealing effectively with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Of special concern is that self-injury has recently moved from clinical populations such as those served in hospitals and group homes to the general population including middle, high school and college students.
This presentation will focus on understanding, managing and treating diverse forms of self-injury including arm and body cutting, self-inflicted burning, excoriation of wounds, and other more serious examples such as NSSI requiring medical attention and foreign body ingestion.
Self-injury will be distinguished from suicidal behavior in terms of a number of key characteristics, but will also be discussed as a major risk factor for suicide attempts. The topic of social contagion of self-injury will also be addressed.
A “Stepped Care Approach” regarding the management and treatment of self-injury will be reviewed, including:
Step I:
- The informal response
- Crisis assessment (when needed)
- Detailed cognitive-behavioral assessment
Step II:
- Replacement skills training
- The biology of NSSI
- Managing and preventing social contagion
A stepped care approach is used so that clients and families receive only as much support and targeted treatment as they need. Very practical suggestions in dealing with self-injury will be provided.
