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ISSS Rising Stars About /Awards / ISSS Rising Stars Recognizing Potential ISSS Rising Stars are dedicated early-career researchers, clinicians, or advocates whose work demonstrates potential and commitment to make a significant contribution to the field and to the lives of people with lived experience. 2026 Rising Star TBD This year's ISSS Rising Star will be announced soon! NOMINATE A 2026 ISSS RISING STAR Rising Stars of ISSS 2025 Dr. Kealagh Robinson Dr. Robinson is a Senior Lecturer at Massey's School of Psychology (Aotearoa, New Zealand). She is also a collaborator with the Checking on Mental Health Providing Alternatives to Suicide (COMPAS) program. 2024 Dr. Taylor Burke Dr. Burke is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (United States). She also co-leads the Mood and Behavior Lab (MABL) at Harvard Medical School. 2023 Dr. Kathryn Fox Dr. Fox is an Assistant Professor in the clinical child psychology Ph.D. Program at the University of Denver, where she also directs the Fox Lab in the Department of Psychology. 2022 Dr. Glenn Kiekens Dr. Kiekens is as an Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology at Tilburg University (Netherlands) and Senior Research Fellow at KU Leuven (Belgium). 2021 Dr. Sarah Victor Dr. Victor is a clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University (United States) where she leads the Tracking Risk Over Time Lab (TRTL). 2020 Dr. Brooke Ammerman Dr. Ammerman is a Professor at the University of Notre Dame (United States) where she is Director of the Affect, Suicide, Self-Injury, and Social Triggers (ASSIST) Lab and Co-Director of the Notre Dame Suicide Prevention Initiative.

Biological Research in NSSI Collaboration / Special Interest Groups / Biological Research in NSSI Uncovering Underlying Mechanisms More information on the Biological Research in NSSI Special Interest Group to come! Our Mission More information on the Biological Research in NSSI Special Interest Group to come! More information on the Biological Research in NSSI Special Interest Group to come! More information on the Biological Research in NSSI Special Interest Group to come! Discover More More information on the Biological Research in NSSI Special Interest Group to come! Representative/s of Biological Research in NSSI

16th Annual International Conference | 2021 | Online | June 23rd - 25th June Program Download the Abstract Book View all conference content here In 2021, we held our ISSS Conference online. Over 3 days we hosted a range of live and pre-recorded material, including: keynote addresses by our Inaugural Invited Fellows, Prof. Jennifer Muehlenkamp and Dr. Barent Walsh keynote address from our 2021 Rising Star, Dr. Sarah Victor a symposium from students and early career researchers in our Collaborative Research Program a roundtable discussion with individuals with lived experience of NSSI networking opportunities to connect people across the globe

Online 2021 Conferences / 16th Annual Conference | Online 23rd - 25th June, 2021 In 2021, we hosted our 16th Annual International Conference online. Details In 2021, we hosted our 16th Annual International Conference online. Over three days we hosted a range of live and pre-recorded material, including Keynote addresses by Prof. Jennifer Muehlenkamp and Dr. Barent Walsh, an ISSS Rising Star Address from Dr. Sarah Victor, the first Collaborative Research Program Symposium, and a Lived Experience Roundtable discussion. Show More

Collaborative Research Program Home / Collaborative Research Program / 2024 Current Projects The 2024-25 cycle of the ISSS Collaborative Research Program (CRP) is now open for applicants! The ISSS CRP provides an opportunity for doctoral students and early career researchers (less than 5 years post PhD) to work with a leading NSSI researcher, who is not their supervisor, on a dedicated research project. Available CRP opportunities are listed below. Apply Now Proximal mechanisms of NSSI predicting suicide thoughts and behaviors Mentored by: Jennifer Muehlenkamp Read More NSSI and other life-threatening behaviours among adolescents in China Mentored by: Moye Xin Read More Validation of a novel Future Imagery Scale and exploration in a sample of YP with and without NSSI Mentored by: Martina Di Simplicio Read More Characteristics of nonsuicidal self-injury disorder in youth and psychometric evaluation of the Clinician-Administered Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder Index Mentored by: Johan Bjureberg Read More Using real-time monitoring to study social interactions and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) cognitions and behaviors among individuals seeking care Mentored by: Glenn Kiekens and Laurence Claes Read More

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp Dr. Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp Previous Dr. Jennifer J. Muehlenkamp is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire (United States), where she is known to collaborate with almost anyone. As the first to formally propose that NSSI is a phenomenon deserving of clinical and research attention in its own right, Jennifer has had a great and long-lasting impact on the field. Her research focuses on the development, functions, and prevention of NSSI, as well as the roles of stigma, body image, and identity in emotional well-being. Dr. Muehlenkamp’s work has been instrumental in developing validated assessment tools and community-based prevention programs that reach students, educators, and clinicians. Beyond her research, she is an inspiring teacher and mentor known for her compassion, thoughtfulness, and dedication to bridging the gap between science and the lived realities of distress and recovery. A founding member of ISSS, Jennifer is encouraging and innovating, and she represents the kind of academic many of us aspire to be. Next ISSS Fellow | 2021

Mallory Dobias, MA, from Stony Brook University describes Project SAVE, an online, single-session intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Season 2 | Episode 23 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 23 Single-Session Intervention for Self-Harm Mar 31, 2022 with Mallory Dobias Single-Session Intervention for Self-Harm with Mallory Dobias 00:00 / 01:04 According to a 2020 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), among 52.9 million adults with any mental illness in the United States, 46.2% received mental health services in the past year, which means more than half did not. Although there are known, effective treatments for mental disorders, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than 75% of people in low- and middle-income countries receive no treatment. In this episode, Mallory Dobias, MA, a Clinical Psychology PhD student at Stony Brook University in New York discusses an online, brief single-session intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm, allowing for more accessible treatment options. You can find Mallory's open access pre-print paper on PsyArXiv at https://psyarxiv.com/jprcg and its peer-reviewed final publication in the journal Behaviour Research and Therap y by clicking here . To find the pdf version of the intervention in Open Science Framework (OSF) visit https://osf.io/vguf4/ . To find the project summary of Project SAVE (Stop Adolescent Violence Everywhere), visit www.schleiderlab.org/completed-projects.html . Follow Mallory on Twitter at @MalloryDobias and learn more about her work with the Lab for Scalable Mental Health at www.schleiderlab.org/ and her work with the Fox Lab at Denver University at www.foxlabdu.com/ . Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #5 by Feedspot in their " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." Previous Next

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Barent W. Walsh Dr. Barent W. Walsh Previous Dr. Barent (Barry) Walsh is a Clinical Social Worker , educator, and one of the earliest and most influential figures in the study and treatment of self-injury. Author of Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide , a foundational text for clinicians, Dr. Walsh has trained thousands of professionals in compassionate, evidence-based care. His decades of work have profoundly shaped the clinical understanding of self-injury, emphasizing empathy, validation, and therapeutic skill. Dr. Walsh continues to consult and teach internationally, bridging the gap between research and frontline practice. He is widely admired for his humility, generosity, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those with lived experience of NSSI. For many, Barry is a symbol of a true science-based clinician. He epitomizes the spirit of collaboration, approachability, and friendship that is a hallmark of ISSS. Next ISSS Fellow | 2021

Wendy Lader, PhD, author of "Bodily Harm: the Breakthrough Healing Program for Self-Injurers" and Co-Founder and retired Clinical Director of the S.A.F.E. Alternatives Program in St. Louis, MO, describes how the treatment for self-injury and self-harm has evolved over the years. Season 2 | Episode 32 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 32 The Evolution of Self-Injury Treatment Dec 30, 2022 with Dr. Wendy Lader The Evolution of Self-Injury Treatment with Dr. Wendy Lader 00:00 / 01:04 In 1986, the first treatment program in the United States specifically for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) opened its doors. Self Abuse Finally Ends, better known as S.A.F.E. Alternatives, was a 30-day inpatient program for the treatment of self-injury and self-harm. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Lader, the Co-Founder and retired Clinical Director of S.A.F.E. Alternatives talks about what treatment looked like back then and how treatment has evolved over time. Learn more about Dr. Lader on her website www.drlader.com , and find her book Bodily Harm: the Breakthrough Healing Program for Self-Injurers on Amazon here . To learn more about S.A.F.E. Alternatives, visit selfinjury.com or call 1-800-DONTCUT (1-800-366-8288). If you are seeking treatment options with them, let them know you heard about the program on The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast with Dr. Lader. Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #5 by Feedspot in their " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." Previous Next

Brianna Turner, PhD, from the University of Victoria in Canada explains why the boundaries between various forms of self-harm and self-injury may be less clear than implied by research and definitions. Season 3 | Episode 43 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 43 Where Does Self-Injury Fit Within Self-Damaging Behaviors? Nov 24, 2023 with Dr. Brianna Turner Where Does Self-Injury Fit Within Self-Damaging Behaviors? with Dr. Brianna Turner 00:00 / 01:04 The term "self-harm" is an umbrella term, encompassing a broad range of behaviors, under which is included substance abuse and misuse, eating disorders, suicide, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). In this episode, Dr. Brianna Turner from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada discusses how often self-damaging behaviors, including risky sex, financial and physical recklessness, co-occur with NSSI and where NSSI fits within the umbrella of self-harming behaviors. She also simplifies research using structural models of self-damaging behaviors in a way that helps us understand the co-occurrences of potentially harmful coping behaviors. Learn more about Dr. Turner and her work in the Risky Behaviour Lab at the University of Victoria here , and access many of her publications at https://uvic.academia.edu/BriannaTurner . Follow Dr. Turner on Twitter/X ( @BriannaT_Psyc ) and connect with the Risky Behaviour Lab on Instagram ( @riskybehaviourlab_uvic ) and Twitter/X ( @RBL_UVic ), especially if you are interested in participating in NSSI research. Below are the structural models of self-damaging behaviors discussed in this episode: St. Germain, S. A., & Hooley, J. M. (2012). Direct and indirect forms of non-suicidal self-injury: Evidence for a distinction . Psychiatry Research, 197 (1-2), 78-84. Green, J. D., Hatgis, C., Kearns, J. C., Nock, M. K., & Marx, B. P. (2017). The Direct and Indirect Self-Harm Inventory (DISH): A new measure for assessing high-risk and self-harm behaviors among military veterans . Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 18 (3), 208–214. Bresin, K. (2020). Toward a unifying theory of dysregulated behaviors . Clinical Psychology Review, 80 , 101885. Kotov, R., Krueger, R. F., Watson, D., Achenbach, T. M., Althoff, R. R., Bagby, R. M., . . . Zimmerman, M. (2017). The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): A dimensional alternative to traditional nosologies . Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 126 (4), 454–477. Barlow, D. H., et al. (2017). Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: Therapist Guide (2nd ed.) . Oxford University. Ehrenreich-May, J., et al. (2018). Unified Protocols for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Therapist Guide . Oxford University. Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter/X (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter/X (@ITripleS). The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast has been rated #1 by Feedspot in their list of " 10 Best Self Harm Podcasts " and #5 in their " 20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts ." It has also been featured in Audible's " Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal ." If you or someone you know should be interviewed on the podcast, we want to know! Please fill out this form, and we will be in touch with more details if it’s a good fit. Previous Next

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / Understanding recovery... Understanding NSSI recovery Mentor/s: Penny Hasking & Stephen Lewis 2023 - 2024 Project Overview Data have been collected in Australia and Canada to assess the utility of Lewis & Hasking’s NSSI recovery framework. This person-centred approach reflects the lived experience of NSSI rather than focusing on NSSI cessation. This includes assessing: ongoing thoughts and urges to self-injure, expectations about disclosure, the nature and extent of scarring, resilience, self-efficacy and optimism. We have both qualitative and quantitative data and the final project can be decided with the candidate. Application Deadline: June 11 2023 Apply Now Previous Next

Lisa Van Hove, PhD, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) in Belgium reveals the prevalence and characteristics of self-injury and self-harm among older adults (ages 60+). Season 5 | Episode 61 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 61 Self-Harm in Older Adults May 30, 2025 with Dr. Lisa Van Hove Self-Harm in Older Adults with Dr. Lisa Van Hove 00:00 / 01:04 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 self-injure at other ages? What about the reasons they give for self-injuring? In this episode, Dr. Lisa Van Hove from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) is the first to reveal the prevalence of self-injury and self-harm among older adults. To read Dr. Van Hove's info brief on NSSI in older adults through the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery Resources (SIRR), visit https:// www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu/perch/resources/older-adult-fact-sheet-1.pdf . To see Dr. Van Hove's publications, including those about self-injury among older adults, click here . Connect with Dr. Van Hove on LinkedIn here . Below is some of her research and that of others referenced in this episode: Van Hove, L., Baetens, I., Hamza, C., Dierckx, E., Haekens, A., Fieremans, L., & Vanderstichelen, S. (2023). NSSI in older adults . In E.E. Lloyd-Richardson, I. Baetens, & J. Whitlock (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of nonsuicidal self-injury (pp. 572-592). Oxford University Press. Van Hove, L., Baetens, I., & Vanderstichelen, S. (2025). Psychogeriatric experts’ experiences with risk factors of suicidal and non-suicidal self-injury in older adults: A qualitative study . Qualitative Research in Medicine and Healthcare , 8 (1). Van Hove, L., Baetens, I., & Vanderstichelen, S. (2024). Conceptualizing self-harm through the experiences of psychogeriatric experts . Psychopathology , 57 (4), 277-285. Van Hove, L., Nieuwenhuijs, B. M., Vanderstichelen, S., De Witte, N., Gorus, E., Stas, L., & Baetens, I. (2025). Biopsychosocial profile of community-dwelling older adults at risk for direct and indirect self-harm . Clinical Gerontologist , 1–12. Van Hove, L., Facon M., Baetens, I., Vanderstichelen, S., Dierckx, E., Van Alphen, S.P.J., Stas, L., & Rossi, G. (2025). Development of an at-risk personality profile for (in)direct self-harm engagement in older age . Journal of Personality Disorders, 39 (3), 240-262. Murphy, E., Kapur, N., Webb, R., Purandare, N., Hawton, K., Bergen, H., Waters, K., & Cooper, J. (2012). Risk factors for repetition and suicide following self-harm in older adults: multicentre cohort study . British Journal of Psychiatry, 200 (5), 399-404. Martin, G., & Swannell, S. (2016). Non-suicidal self-injury in the over 40s: Results from a large national epidemiological survey . Epidemiology (Sunnyvale), 6 (5), 266. Choi, N. G., DiNitto, D. M., Marti, C. N., & Choi, B. Y. (2016). Nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide attempts among ED patients older than 50 years: comparison of risk factors and ED visit outcomes . The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 34 (6), 1016-1021. Ose, S. O., Tveit, T., & Mehlum, L. (2021). Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adult psychiatric outpatients – A nationwide study . Journal of Psychiatric Research, 133 , 1-9. Wiktorsson, S., Strömsten, L., Renberg, E. S., Runeson, B., & Waern, M. (2022). Clinical characteristics in older, middle-aged and young adults who present with suicide attempts at psychiatric emergency departments: A multisite study . The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30 (3), 342-351. Gratz, K. L., & Tull, M. T. (2025). Acceptance-based emotion regulation therapy: A clinician’s guide to treating emotion dysregulation & self-destructive behaviors using an evidence-based therapy drawn from ACT & DBT . Context Press. Previous Next