A lot of therapies address the context in which nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm may occur, but only a few treatments have been designed to address NSSI specifically. In this episode, we dive into one of these treatments: Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT). Drs. Kim Gratz and Matthew Tull from the University of Toledo in Ohio walk us through in significant detail each of the 90-minute 14 sessions of ERGT. Learn more about Dr. Gratz here and reach her at klgratz28@gmail.com. Learn more about Dr. Tull here and follow him on Twitter @MTTull. Learn more about the Personality and E ..read more

In 1986, the first treatment program in the United States specifically for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) opened its doors. Self Abuse Finally Ends, better known as S.A.F.E. Alternatives, was a 30-day inpatient program for the treatment of self-injury and self-harm. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Lader, the Co-Founder and retired Clinical Director of S.A.F.E. Alternatives talks about  what treatment looked like back then and how treatment has evolved over time. Learn more about Dr. Lader on her website www.drlader.com, and find her book Bodily Harm: the Breakthrough Healing Program for Self-I ..read more

How are scars from nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) different than physical scars that are unintentional or result from non-self-inflicted wounds ? What psychological effects can result from daily reminders of one's own decision to self-harm? Is there an association between NSSI scars and suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, Dr. Burke discusses the mixed relationship that many people who self-injure have with the scars they bear from NSSI and how some may feel the need to hide their scars even from themselves.  Learn more about Dr. Burke and her work by clicking here or vi ..read more

In this episode, Kirsty Moore details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) beginning at age 14 and into her 30's. She discusses her training in psychology and how she integrates research on NSSI with her lived experience of self-harm as a form of advocacy when conducting workshops on NSSI for the community. Connect with Dr. Kirsty on Instagram at @dr_kirsty_coaching.   Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podc ..read more

What digital interventions exist for addressing nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? And do they and peer-support apps help in reducing NSSI urges and behaviors?  What do individuals with lived experience of self-injury say that they look for in app-based technology to address self-injury? In this episode, Dr. Kruzan from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine shares about what her research has revealed and discusses the potential utility of Virtual Reality in the treatment of self-injury and self-harm. Learn more about Dr. Kruzan and her research at https://www.kayleekruzan.com ..read more

Just how prevalent is self-injury among children under age 12?  Do the types and methods they use differ from those who self-injure at other ages? What about the reasons they give for self-injuring? In this episode, Dr. Imke Baetens and PhD candidate Lisa Van Hove from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) discuss the prevalence of self-injury and self-harm among children under age 12 and how parents can talk to their young children about the behavior.  To learn more about the International Consortium on Self-Injury in Educational Settings (ICSES), visit www.icsesgroup.org ..read more

What is the prevalence of self-injury among adults over age 40? And what differentiates those who report having stopped self-injuring from those who continue to self-injure? How do they differ from those under age 25 who self-injure, including related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, psychologist Dr. Sarah Swannell from Australia discusses the prevalence of self-injury and self-harm among individuals over age 40 and stigma around the behavior. Learn more about Dr. Swannell and her work at https://sarahswannell.com.au/. Below are links to some of her research referenced in t ..read more

Every screenwriter and film director is different and each has their own intentions and motivations, but what goes into the writing of characters who engage in self-injury and self-harm? How are such films inspired, and how do writers and directors choose to frame self-injury content? In this episode, screenwriter, director, and actress Christina Beck discusses her independent feature film "PERFECTION" and what inspired the characters and content of the film. This episode was recorded as a live virtual session held during the 17th annual ISSS Conference on June 24, 2022.  To watch PERFECT ..read more

Does it matter where on the body someone cuts, whether on typically more visible sites such as the forearm and wrist, or in typically more concealed areas, such as the upper arm and torso? Is there a relationship between where someone cuts on their body and their likelihood of continuing to engage in the behavior? In this episode, Dr. Gardner discusses her research on the psychology of self-injury location and where on the body one chooses to self-injure as well as intrapersonal (emotional) reasons and interpersonal (social) reasons for engaging in self-injury and self-harm. Learn more about D ..read more

Are there countries, races, or ethnicities with higher or lower rates of self-injury?  How prevalent is NSSI among indigenous peoples, and what role does culture play in the form, function, and meaning of self-injury?  In this episode, Dr. Marc Wilson from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand shares about cross-cultural representations of self-injury and self-harm.   Learn more about Dr. Wilson and his work at https://people.wgtn.ac.nz/Marc.Wilson. Below are links to some of the research referenced in this episode: Gratz, K. L. (2001). Measu ..read more