Non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors are a common maladaptive coping strategy used by many individuals but mostly youth. As such, clinicians commonly encounter such behaviors while treating young people with mental health disorders. Unfortunately, many clinicians lack adequate training to effectively address non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and resort to ineffective approaches. The lack of confidence to intervene effectively coupled with limited understanding about the functions of self-harm often translate to negative attitudes among healthcare providers toward individuals who engage in NSSI. Such individuals may be viewed with hostility, assumed to be manipulative or attention-seeking, or avoided as clients.
Providers have also assumed that individuals who present with NSSI behaviors are “time wasters” and will continue to engage in the behaviors even if concerted efforts to intervene are made (Shaw & Sandy, 2016). Such attitudes have tremendous potential to negatively impact the therapeutic relationship and ultimately treatment outcomes for individuals who engage in NSSI.
In this course, you will learn to recognize the “red flags” of NSSI and methods to thoroughly assess the functions and consequences that maintain NSSI behaviors in your clients. You will understand the best methods to help young people overcome urges to deliberately harm themselves.
The goal of this course is to provide psychologists, alcohol and drug counselors, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, social workers, and nurses in health and human services settings with knowledge and tools to identify and address NSSI behaviors in youth.
DSM™ and DSM-5™ are registered trademarks of the American Psychiatric Association. The American Psychiatric Association is not affiliated with nor endorses this course.