Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Wellness Perspectives on Behaviors, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Grounded in a wellness, strengths-based, and developmental perspective, Non-Suicidal Self-Injury is the ideal guide for counselors and other clinicians seeking to understand self-injurious behaviors without pathologizing them. The book covers topics not previously discussed in other works, including working with families, supervising counselors working with clients who self-injure, DSM-5 criteria regarding the NSSI diagnosis, NSSI as a protective factor for preventing suicidal behavior, and advocacy efforts around NSSI. In each chapter clinicians will also find concrete tools, including questions to ask, psychoeducational handouts for clients and their families, treatment handouts or treatment plans for counselors, and more. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury also includes real-life voices of individuals who self-injure as well as case vignettes to provide examples of how theoretical models or treatments discussed in this book immediately apply to practice.

Introduction Section I: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Basic Information and Considerations 1.Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: What It Is and What It Is Not 2. Why NSSI? Models and Theories of Explanation 3. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicide Section II: Assessment and Diagnostic Considerations 4. Intake, Initial Assessment, and Treatment Planning 5. Diagnostic Considerations 6. Ethical Considerations for Treatment Section III: Treatment Considerations 7. Evidence-Based Treatment 8. Specific Clinical Interventions Section IV: Education and Advocacy 9. NSSI and the family 10. Supervision Issues 11. NSSI Advocacy and Prevention

Kelly L. Wester, PhD, is a professor of counselor education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a licensed professional counselor with Family Solutions, an outpatient mental health agency. Her counseling and research experience with youth and self-injury includes settings such as residential treatment facilities, correctional facilities, college settings, and community counseling agencies.

Heather C. Trepal, PhD, is a faculty member in the department of counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio, a licensed professional counselor, and board-approved supervisor. She has served as the president of the Association for Creativity in Counseling, chair of the ACA Graduate Student Committee, and president of both the national and southern regions of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.