Treating Self Injury Second Edition

"This trusted practitioner resource is acclaimed for its clear, compassionate, and hopeful approach to working with clients who self-injure. Barent Walsh and his associates provide current, evidence-based knowledge about the variety and causes of self-injurious behavior, its relationship to suicidality, and how to assess and treat it effectively. Illustrated with detailed case examples, chapters review a wide range of cognitive-behavioral interventions. Essential guidance is provided on tailoring the intensity of intervention to each client's unique needs. Reproducible assessment tools and handouts can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size"--Provided by publisher.

Uniquely practical and comprehensive, this timely guide addresses a problem that is on the rise, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Practitioners gain a wealth of knowledge about the variety and causes of self-injurious behavior and how to recognize it in people at risk, ranging from those who do not have psychiatric diagnoses to those with eating or mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, or psychoses. Illustrated with detailed case examples, clear guidelines are presented for assessing clients and conducting evidence-based interventions using replacement skills training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure treatment, psychopharmacology, and family- and school-based strategies. Reproducible clinical materials are included.

"Parents who discover a teen's self-injurious behavior are gripped by uncertainty and flooded with questions - Why is my child doing this? Is this a suicide attempt? What did I do wrong? What can I do to stop it? And yet basic educational resources for parents with self-injuring children are sorely lacking. Healing after Self-Injury provides desperately-needed guidance to parents and others who love a young person struggling with self-injury"--

"Tens of thousands of worried parents have turned to this authoritative guide for the facts about the growing problem of teen self-injury--and what they can do to make it stop. Michael Hollander is a leading expert on the most effective treatment approach for cutting, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Vivid stories illustrate how out-of-control emotions lead some teens to hurt themselves, how DBT can help, and what other approaches can be beneficial. Parents get practical strategies for talking to teens about self-injury without making it worse, teaching them specific skills to cope with extreme emotions in a healthier way, finding the right therapist, and managing family stress. Incorporating the latest research, the revised edition offers a deeper understanding of the causes of self-injury and includes new DBT skills"--

Self-injury can be as addictive as any drug, and the secrecy and shame many sufferers feel about this behavior can keep them feeling trapped. But if you're ready to replace self-harm with a set of healthy coping skills, this compassionate and practical book can help. This complete guide to stopping self-injury gives you the facts about self-harm, corrects common myths about this behavior, and provides self-soothing techniques you can begin using right away for regulating difficult or overwhelming emotions. Freedom from Self-Harm also includes self-assessment worksheets, guidance for seeking professional help, and information about the most effective therapies and medications. Drawn from treatments such as dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy, the tools in this book can help you cope with your emotions whenever you feel the urge to self-harm. This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit — an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.

Self-injurious behavior occurs in almost half of those with autism and is one of the most devastating and challenging-to-treat behaviors. There are many different forms of self-injury, such as head banging, hand biting, hair pulling, excessive scratching, and much more. With contributions from the leading experts in research and treatment, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related developmental disabilities, and the different methods available to treat them. Medical and behavioral researchers have studied SIB for over 50 years, but many practitioners and parents are still unfamiliar with the wide range of contributing causes and treatment options. Beginning with an explanation of SIB and its various forms, the contributors outline the many possible underlying causes of self-injury, such as seizures, hormonal imbalance in teenagers, gastrointestinal conditions, allergies, and stress, and show how a multi-disciplinary approach when uncovering the causes of self-injury can lead to successful treatment strategies. They explain the treatment options available for SIB, including nutritional, medical, psychiatric, sensory, and behavioral approaches, and show how an integrative approach to treating self-injury may be effective for many individuals. The book will be an invaluable addition to the bookshelves of any practitioner working with people with an ASD or related condition, as well as parents and direct care providers.

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a baffling, troubling, and hard to treat phenomenon that has increased markedly in recent years. Key issues in diagnosing and treating NSSI adequately include differentiating it from attempted suicide and other mental disorders, as well as understanding the motivations for self-injury and the context in which it occurs. This accessible and practical book provides therapists and students with a clear understanding of these key issues, as well as of suitable assessment techniques. It then goes on to delineate research-informed treatment approaches for NSSI, with an emphasis on functional assessment, emotion regulation, and problem solving, including motivational interviewing, interpersonal skills, CBT, DBT, behavioral management strategies, delay behaviors, exercise, family therapy, risk management, and medication, as well as how to successfully combine methods.