A manual of best practice for counsellors working with adolescents who self-injure

Abstract

Self-injury (SI) is the intentional harm of oneself in order to manage emotions and provide relief from unbearable stress. Methods of self-injury include cutting, burning, hitting, and hair pulling. Many counsellors are working with adolescent self-injurers but are struggling with how best to provide therapy. The role of counsellors may vary, depending on whether they are school or community-based. This project presents a manual focusing on adolescent self-injurers and their psychotherapeutic treatment. The manual presents and interprets information that is difficult for practicing counsellors to access into a succinct document.Topics addressed are the nature of adolescent self-injuring behavior, risk factors associated with SI, strategies for working with self-injurers within the public school system, assessment of the adolescent self-injuring client, and therapeutic treatment. Working with adolescent self-injurers is a challenging undertaking and this manual offers information and strategies to aid the counsellor in providing appropriate client care.