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.

About the Author

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.