Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide

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.

Barent W. Walsh, PhD, has worked with self-injuring persons since the late 1970s. He is the long-time Executive Director of The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Bridge consists of over 35 programs serving emotionally disturbed, mentally ill, or developmentally delayed children, adolescents, or adults. These programs emphasize the implementation of evidence-based practice models, including dialectical behavior therapy, illness management and recovery, assertive community treatment, integrated dual disorder treatment, and wraparound services in public sector settings. Dr. Walsh has conducted research, written extensively, and presented internationally on self-injury. He has consulted on this topic at numerous schools, universities, outpatient clinics, group homes, special education programs, psychiatric hospitals, and correctional facilities. He previously taught in the Graduate School of Social Work at both Simmons College and Boston College.