Talking To Change - A Motivational Interviewing Podcast cover image

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

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.

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