The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health
Episodes
Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) Who Self-Harm (Re-Release)
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) and its internet-delivered version (IERITA) is just one of a couple of treatments develo...
Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) for Self-Harm (Re-Release)
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of therapies address the context in which nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm may occur, but only a few treatments have been designed t...
Self-Injury in Schools (Re-Release)
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How can schools appropriately respond to students who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), whether the behavior occurs at home, on school grounds...
What Role Does Blood Play in Self-Injury?, with Dr. Christian Schmahl
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Christian Schmahl from Heidelberg University and Mannheim, Germany, answers a listener's question and talks about his experimenta...
Media & Self-Harm: What Helps, What Harms?, with Dr. Nicholas Westers
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host and producer of The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast, Dr. Nicholas Westers, shares his own thoughts about how media portray non...
Trauma and Self-Injury, with Dr. Rachel Zelkowitz
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Rachel Zelkowitz defines trauma and its prevalence among individuals who self-injure, delineates posttraumatic stress disorder (P...
Parenting with Lived Experience of Self-Injury, with Dr. Janis Whitlock
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Two topics are covered in this episode: (1) how parents with lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) can navigate conversations with their ...
DSM Update: Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder, or a Clinical Specifier?
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, four of the top experts in researching and treating nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) talk about the research behind NSSI Disorder, the ...
Help-Seeking for Self-Injury, with Nani Kim, RN
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nani Kim, RN from the University of Texas at Austin talks all things help-seeking for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This includes c...
Why Do People Self-Injure? Part 2, with Dr. Kirsty Hird
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Kirsty Hird, a Research Officer in the Youth Mental Health team at The Kids Research Institute Australia, adds to Episode 1 of The Psychology of S...
Self-Harm in Older Adults, with Dr. Lisa Van Hove
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just how prevalent is self-injury among older adults, specifically those ages 60 and over? Do the types and methods they use differ from those who s...
Does Conflict About One’s Gender Role Predict Self-Injury?, with Dr. Moye Xin
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Moye Xin from Xi'an University in the Shaanxi Province of central China discusses how nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is viewed in...
Lived Experience: Ben's Story of Self-Injury
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ben Moroski from Los Angeles, CA, shares his story of lived experience of self-injury that began at age 17 when he and his family fou...
Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1), with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Sylvanna Mirichlis from Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and ISSS Past President Dr. Stephen Lewis from the University of G...
Are Therapists Willing to Treat Self-Injury?, with Spencer Ellison & Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Spencer Ellison and Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp read a hypothetical case vignette of a client who engages in nonsuicidal self-injury (NS...
Paramedical Tattooing for Self-Harm Scars, with Tattoo Artist Elena & Her Client
28 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is paramedical tattooing and scar camouflage and how is it different than other treatments for self-injury scars? Not everyone with lived experie...
Lived Experience: Ellie's Story of Atypical Severe Self-Harm
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Ellie from the United Kingdom and National Health Service (NHS) shares her lived experience of atypical severe self-injury while part...
Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations, with Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Maryam Gholamrezaei, PhD, C.Psych, shares about her interviews with racially and ethnically diverse individuals who self-injure, incl...
Effects of Emotions on Self-Injury Pain Perception, with Michelle Hiner
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Does the emotion someone experiences immediately preceding an episode of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) influence how painful that episode of self-har...
Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Johan Bjureberg
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) and its internet-delivered version (IERITA) is just one of a couple of treatments develo...
Tips for Supporting Those Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Nicholas Westers
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, host and producer of The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast, Dr. Nicholas Westers, shares his own thoughts about what we should consid...
Social Media, Meta, & Self-Injury, with Lotte Rubæk
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lotte Rubæk, MSc, who leads the Self-Injury Team in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Capital Region of Denmark, talks about wh...
Self-Criticism as a Predictor of Self-Injury, with Christina Robillard
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Christina Robillard talks about how self-criticism can lead to increases in self-injury urges within the next two hours as well as th...
Lived Experience: Thomas' Story of Self-Injury & Gender Dysphoria
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Approximately 47% of transgender adults and 55.7% of transgender and non-binary youth report having engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) at some ...
Do Youth Self-Injure More Now Than 15 Years Ago?, with Dr. Jonas Bjärehed
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Jonas Bjärehed from Lund University in Sweden walks us through his research on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) that he began in 2...
Supporting Siblings of Individuals Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Amy Lucas
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr. Amy Lucas from Speek Health in the United Kingdom talks about supporting siblings of those who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury ...
DSM-5 & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder, with Dr. Greg Lengel
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In 2013, the 5th edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was released, and for the first time it included Nonsuicid...
How Should Self-Harm Be Defined?, with Drs. Brooke Ammerman & Greg Lengel
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly constitutes nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? Dr. Brooke Ammerman from the University of Notre Dame and Dr. Greg Lengel from Drake Univers...
Where Does Self-Injury Fit Within Self-Damaging Behaviors?, with Dr. Brianna Turner
24 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The term "self-harm" is an umbrella term, encompassing a broad range of behaviors, under which is included substance abuse and misuse, eating disorder...
Lived Experience: Allison's Story of Self-Injury & Scarring
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Allison details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) beginning in 9th grade and into her 20's. She explains t...
Self-Injury in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD), with Caroline Roberts
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Up to 1 in 5 (20%) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and about 3 in 7 (42%) individuals with autism spectrum disorder...
The Psychology of Self-Injury Pain, with Dr. Julian Koenig
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is the relationship between nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and pain? Are individuals who self-injure less sensitive to pain than those who don’...
Youth Crisis, Self-Harm, & Mental Health Language, with Drs. Rachel Acheson & Maria Papadima
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amidst a global youth mental health crisis, is it possible that many young people are experiencing adolescent development challenges but are using men...
Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, with Nathan Peterson
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Approximately 1-4% of people throughout the world experience obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Individuals with OCD are more likely than those with...
A Dad & Daughter Discuss Her Lived Experience of Self-Harm
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is a parent's role in helping their child recover from self-injury? What might a dad say about supporting his child when he learns his child is e...
Self-Injury Recovery: A Person-Centered Approach, with Drs. Stephen Lewis & Penny Hasking
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, ISSS Past Presidents Dr. Stephen Lewis from the University of Guelph in Canada, and Dr. Penelope Hasking from Curtin University in Au...
The Neurobiology of Self-Injury (in Layman's Terms), with Dr. Michael Kaess
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What goes on at the neurobiological level that makes someone more vulnerable to self-injure or self-harm? What biological risk factors are at play? Wh...
Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) for Self-Harm, with Drs. Kim Gratz & Matthew Tull
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of therapies address the context in which nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm may occur, but only a few treatments have been designed t...
Did Self-Injury Increase During the COVID-19 Lockdown?, with Dr. Ruth Tatnell
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Early in the pandemic there was a lot of talk about how the initial lockdown and stay-at-home orders would affect people’s mental health, including ...
The Evolution of Self-Injury Treatment, with Dr. Wendy Lader
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 1986, the first treatment program in the United States specifically for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) opened its doors. Self Abuse Finally Ends, b...
The Psychology of Self-Injury Scarring, with Dr. Taylor Burke
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How are scars from nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) different than physical scars that are unintentional or result from non-self-inflicted wounds ? Wha...
Lived Experience: Kirsty's Story of Self-Injury & Advocacy
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Kirsty Moore details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) beginning at age 14 and into her 30's. She discusse...
Digital Interventions for Self-Harm, with Dr. Kaylee Kruzan
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What digital interventions exist for addressing nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? And do they and peer-support apps help in reducing NSSI urges and beha...
Self-Injury Under Age 12, with Dr. Imke Baetens & Lisa Van Hove
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just how prevalent is self-injury among children under age 12? Do the types and methods they use differ from those who self-injure at other ages? Wh...
Self-Injury Over Age 40, with Dr. Sarah Swannell
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is the prevalence of self-injury among adults over age 40? And what differentiates those who report having stopped self-injuring from those who c...
Self-Injury in Film: "PERFECTION" the Movie, with Actor & Director Christina Beck
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every screenwriter and film director is different and each has their own intentions and motivations, but what goes into the writing of characters who ...
Self-Injury Location: Visible vs Concealed, with Dr. Kathryn Gardner
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Does it matter where on the body someone cuts, whether on typically more visible sites such as the forearm and wrist, or in typically more concealed a...
Self-Harm Across Cultures, with Dr. Marc Wilson
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are there countries, races, or ethnicities with higher or lower rates of self-injury? How prevalent is NSSI among indigenous peoples, and what role ...
Single-Session Intervention for Self-Harm, with Mallory Dobias
31 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
According to a 2020 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), among 52.9 million adults with any ment...
Eating Disorders & Self-Harm, with Dr. Katie Gordon
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The term "self-harm" is an umbrella term, encompassing a broad range of behaviors, under which is included substance abuse and misuse, suicide, nonsui...
Lived Experience: Brittany's Story of Self-Injury & Faith
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this first episode of Season 2, Brittany details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), how it started, and how she makes se...
Self-Injury in Schools, with Dr. Nancy Heath
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How can schools appropriately respond to students who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), whether the behavior occurs at home, on school grounds...
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Self-Harm, with Dr. Jenny Hughes
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been lauded as an evidence-based treatment for addressing suicidal and nonsuicidal thoughts and behaviors. In...
Navigating Self-Injury During Routine Doctor Visits, with Brittany Tinsley
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve never engaged in self-injury or self-harm, then you may have never considered the anxieties related to something as seemingly simple as a ...
Self-Injury in Japanese Manga, with Dr. Yukari Seko
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Not only do manga reveal and reinforce cultural values, beliefs, and norms, particularly i...
If Your Child is in Therapy for Self-Injury, with Dr. Jessica Garisch
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many parents understandably want their child to stop self-injuring immediately, but cessation of self-injury is often a process and recurrence of epis...
Self-Injury Among LGBTQ Individuals, with Dr. Lindsay Taliaferro
02 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it important to talk about nonsuicidal self-injury among LGBTQ individuals? Just how prevalent is self-injury among those who identify as LGBTQ...
Managing Self-Injury in Inpatient Settings, with Dr. Jason Washburn
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When is it appropriate for someone who engages in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) to be admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient program? And how rea...
Lived Experience of Self-Injury & Stigma: Lexy's Story
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lexy details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and the stigma she has encountered as a result of self-inju...
Atypical Severe Self-Injury, with Dr. Barry Walsh
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When we talk about nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in this podcast, we are typically referring to the most common forms of NSSI. But what about rarer, ...
Monitoring Self-Injury in Real Time, with Dr. Glenn Kiekens
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do we assess self-injury differently than 20-30 years ago? Rather than asking someone to remember how they were thinking and feeling when they las...
Treatment for Self-Injurious Behaviors (T-SIB), with Dr. Peggy Andover
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of therapies address the context in which nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm may occur, but only a few treatments have been designed t...
Psychologists with Lived Experience of Self-Injury, with Dr. Sarah Victor
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How many psychologists have lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? What biases should mental health professionals with and without a hist...
Lived Experience of Self-Injury: Malika's Story
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Malika details her experience of disclosing her self-injury to her parents as a teenager, seeking treatment, and how she decided to s...
Disclosures of Self-Injury, with Dr. Brooke Ammerman
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What are some common reasons people give for choosing to disclose their self-injury? How do positive and negative reactions affect someone’s willing...
A Mother's Perspective of Her Daughter's Self-Injury
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine receiving a phone call from your child's school expressing concern that your child might be suicidal. This is Dee's story. In this episode s...
Self-Injury and the Internet, with Dr. Stephen Lewis
29 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is the quality of online health information related to self-injury and self-harm? What are some of the risks and benefits related to seeking self...
Self-Injury Stigma and Language, with Dr. Penelope Hasking
15 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What are common ways we talk about self-injury or self-harm that may inadvertently perpetuate stigma about the behavior and those who engage in it? In...
Parenting Youth Who Self-Injure, with Dr. Janis Whitlock
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you suspect that your child might be engaging in self-injury, how do you start the conversation and how often should you check in with your child s...
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury vs. Suicide, with Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today there is still confusion among a lot people about the differences between suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury. Although nonsuicidal self-injury ...
Why Do People Self-Injure?
01 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Self-injury does not reflect typical behavior, but it is also not uncommon. One in five adolescents across the globe reports having self-injured, and ...