Tony L. Sheppard – 11 Essentials for Self-Harm Recovery: Helping Children & Teens Reclaim Their Lives

Outline

Defining Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)Defining Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

Conceptualizing the ProblemConceptualizing the Problem

• Primary motivations Primary motivations
  • Controlling external/internal environmentControlling external/internal environment
  • Impacts on various settingsImpacts on various settings
  • Neuropsychology of NSSINeuropsychology of NSSI
  • NSSI and traumaNSSI and trauma

Assessing the ProblemAssessing the Problem

• NSSI and suicide NSSI and suicide
  • StatisticsStatistics
  • Differential diagnosisDifferential diagnosis
  • Clinical assessment/screeningClinical assessment/screening
  • Formal assessment toolsFormal assessment tools
• 5 questions every therapist should ask during assessment5 questions every therapist should ask during assessment

Treating the ProblemTreating the Problem

• Multi-systemic approach Multi-systemic approach
  • Engaging families, school, peers, social mediaEngaging families, school, peers, social media
  • Determining who needs to know/how much they need to knowDetermining who needs to know/how much they need to know
• Working with parentsWorking with parents
• The role of the schoolThe role of the school
• The role of peersThe role of peers
• Social mediaSocial media
• Replacement behaviorsReplacement behaviors
• Using the stages of change/MI model in treatment Using the stages of change/MI model in treatment
  • Assessing readinessAssessing readiness
  • Gauging interventionsGauging interventions
  • Sustaining and maintaining recoverySustaining and maintaining recovery
• 6 key components of therapeutic intervention 6 key components of therapeutic intervention
  • Developing distraction strategiesDeveloping distraction strategies
  • Building coping skillsBuilding coping skills
  • Enhancing self-esteem and self-acceptanceEnhancing self-esteem and self-acceptance
  • Improving relationships and relational skillsImproving relationships and relational skills
  • Addressing Trauma (“big T” and “little t”)Addressing Trauma (“big T” and “little t”)
  • Developing problem-solving skillsDeveloping problem-solving skills
• The role of adjunctive therapiesThe role of adjunctive therapies

Legal & Ethical IssuesLegal & Ethical Issues

• Assessing properly is key Assessing properly is key
  • Screening for NSSI at intakeScreening for NSSI at intake
  • Documentation/diagnosisDocumentation/diagnosis
  • Treatment planningTreatment planning
• Reporting Reporting
  • Schools tend to have stricter reporting rules than mental health settingsSchools tend to have stricter reporting rules than mental health settings
  • Factors in reportingFactors in reporting
  • Involving other professionalsInvolving other professionals
  • Balancing the clinical and the legalBalancing the clinical and the legal

Integration of LearningIntegration of Learning

• Group treatment planning activityGroup treatment planning activity