Talking To Change - A Motivational Interviewing Podcast
EP 72 – Non-Suicidal Self Injury & MI
Nov 12, 2023
Victoria Kress and Rachel O’Neill discuss non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and the importance of reframing attention seeking as a way to seek connection. They explore harm reduction strategies, the use of motivational interviewing (MI), and narrative therapy. Basic counseling skills and the strength of partnership in working with NSSI are also highlighted. The conversation wraps up with future plans including increasing daily steps and getting involved in child advocacy.
01:07:56
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Approaching non-suicidal self-injury with curiosity and actively listening to understand the function and meaning of self-injury is crucial in fostering a therapeutic relationship.
- Creating a sense of safety for individuals who self-injure involves respecting their autonomy and supporting their decisions, focusing on open dialogue and collaborative decision-making.
Deep dives
Understanding Self-Injury and Fostering Safety
Self-injury is a deliberate, non-suicidal destruction of body tissue for emotional regulation, without the intention of dying. It is important to avoid labeling it as attention-seeking or a suicide attempt, as these misconceptions can rupture the therapeutic relationship. Instead, practitioners should approach it with curiosity, actively listening to clients to understand the function and meaning of their self-injury. Providing a safe and non-judgmental environment for clients is crucial, supporting their autonomy and agency in finding healthier coping mechanisms. Practitioners can incorporate narrative therapy techniques, such as externalizing the self-injury and engaging in dialogues with it, to explore discrepancies and empower clients.
She has over 15 years experience in higher education, serving on the faculty for several graduate-level clinical mental health counseling programs. As a practicing therapist, Dr. O’Neill has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including community-based mental health and addictions treatment, psychiatric hospitals, college counseling settings, and inpatient facilities. She has served in multiple leadership positions, including vice president of clinical services at a global telehealth company, director of a primary medical care and behavioral health organization, and executive director of a state counseling association. Dr. O’Neill’s academic work has been featured in peer-reviewed publications such as Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
