Self-injury in trauma survivors: 2. levels of clinical response.
Responding effectively to trauma survivors who engage in self-injury can be challenging, even for experienced therapists. This paper outlines therapeutic goals and appropriate clinical responses, including remaining present at and open to communication about disclosures of self-injury, helping clients to intervene in their own process of self-injury, and working with clients to resolve underlying issues. Alternatives to self-injury are discussed and cautions are offered about common therapeutic responses likely to be particularly unhelpful.
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D003379:Countertransference; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*