Understanding self-injury: A person-centered approach

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury is a common and serious concern because of its association with multiple psychiatric difficulties and illnesses aswell as its robust associationwith suicidal thinking and behavior. Yet many individuals who self-injure find it difficult to talk about their experiences, and many service providers find addressing self-injury challenging. Accordingly, and commensurate with a recent and growing trend in the field, this Open Forum presents a personcentered framework for discussion of self-injury. This conceptualization emphasizes the distinct experiences and needs of individuals, which can help cultivate stronger rapport and greater engagement when implemented during interactions with people who self-injure. In turn, this framework is conducive to improving service provisionwhile contributing to greater confidence and job satisfaction for providers.