Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Kim L. Gratz Dr. Kim L. Gratz Previous Dr. Kim L. Gratz is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Toledo (United States) who is an influential figure in the study of emotion regulation and self-injury. Her pioneering research on borderline personality disorder, emotion dysregulation, and the mechanisms underlying self-destructive behaviors has shaped modern understanding and treatment approaches. She is recognized for her exceptional clinical insight, innovative research, and her mentorship of emerging clinicians and scientists. Her compassion, intellect, and advocacy have made her a cornerstone of the self-injury research community. Next ISSS Fellow | 2024

Stephen Lewis, PhD, from the University of Guelph in Canada and Immediate Past President of the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) discusses the state of health information about self-injury on the internet and addresses the risks and benefits of seeking self-injury and self-harm content online. Season 1 | Episode 5 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 5 Self-Injury and the Internet Jan 29, 2021 with Dr. Stephen Lewis Self-Injury and the Internet with Dr. Stephen Lewis 00:00 / 01:04 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-injury content on the internet? In this episode, Dr. Lewis details 3 overarching risks and 4 overarching benefits of accessing self-injury content online. He also discusses his research related to the effects of hopeless vs. hopeful comments on YouTube videos about self-injury. To watch Dr. Lewis' TEDx talk about his own lived experience of self-injury on YouTube, visit https://youtu.be/G17iMOw0ar8 . Learn more about self-injury and Dr. Lewis' work at Self-injury Outreach & Support (SiOS) ( http://sioutreach.org/ ). Follow SiOS on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/sioutreach ) and Twitter ( https://twitter.com/sioutreach ). Below are links to his research and resources referenced in this episode: Non-suicidal self-injury, youth, and the Internet: What mental health professionals need to know Googling self-injury: The state of health Information obtained through online searches for self-injury The Scope of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury on YouTube Self-Injury Resources: Self-injury Outreach & Support (SiOS) ( http://sioutreach.org/ ) Shedding Light on Self-Injury ( https://www.self-injury.org.au/ ) Self-Injury & Recovery Resources (SIRR) ( www.selfinjury.bctr.cornell.edu ) The International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) ( https://itriples.org/ ) Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). Previous Next

About Self-Injury Recovery and Ambivalence Resources / About Self-Injury / Recovery and Ambivalence "A non-linear push and pull" Recovery Recovery for self-injury can mean different things to different people. In recent years, there has been a greater focus both academically and clinically on the lived experience of self-injury. Part of this focus has drawn attention to the varied conceptualisations of recovery. Clinical conceptualisations According to the proposed diagnostic criteria for non-suicidal self-injury disorder (NSSI-D), an individual may be considered "recovered" after self-injury has been ceased for 12 months. As identified by Lewis and Hasking (2020), this may be unrealistic and does not reflect individuals' lived experience of recovery. Lived experience conceptualisations Not surprisingly, individuals' conceptualisations of NSSI recovery are vast and varied. Theoretical conceptualisations Recent developments in the research field have led to new theoretical conceptualisations of NSSI recovery, including that proposed by Lewis and Hasking (2021). Sourced from Lewis & Hasking (2021) In their framework, Lewis and Hasking capture the following in their person-centred model of self-injury recovery: Emphasis realistic expectations Recovery is non-linear and "relapses" are common Viewing recovery in absolute terms may be unrealistic and unhelpful Normalise thoughts and urges Continued thoughts about self-injury and urges to self-injure are common. These thoughts and urges may persist indefinitely Foster self-efficacy Recognition of times when urges have been overcome can strengthen self-efficacy to resist NSSI in the future Identify strengths Identifying and leveraging strengths can foster self-efficacy and support other coping strategies Find alternatives Finding strategies as effective as NSSI takes time and involves trial and error There is no one-size-fits all, and alternative strategies that work for one individual may not work for another Address underlying adversities There are many possible difficulties and adversities underlying self-injury; these need to be addressed to support NSSI recovery Address and accept scarring While not relevant to all individuals, scarring can be a significant concern Scarring may contribute to ongoing psychological distress/urges, but can also represent strength and resilience For individuals with scars, accepting scarring may be particularly important in their recovery Prepare for navigating disclosures Disclosure may be voluntary, unwanted, or unintentional Disclosure may be necessary to recovery (accessing support) Considering how to navigate these disclosures may be useful for recovery Foster self-acceptance Through the above, self-acceptance can be fostered Ambivalence Understanding ambivalence around self-injury and recovery is important for individuals who self-injure and their loved ones. References Lewis, L. P., & Hasking, P. A. (2020). Rethinking self-injury recovery: A comentary and conceptual reframing, BJ Psych Bulletin , 44 , 44-46. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2019.51 Lewis, S. P., & Hasking, P. A. (2021). Self-injury recovery: A person-centred framework. Journal of Clinical Psychology , 77 , 884-895. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23094

Research on Self-Injury in Daily Life Collaboration / Special Interest Groups / Research on Self-Injury in Daily Life Advancing Tangible Benefits Latest Outputs Check out the latest outputs from the Research on Self-Injury in Daily Life SIG. Item Title Item Title Item Title Describe the item and include any relevant details. Click to edit the text. Describe the item and include any relevant details. Click to edit the text. Describe the item and include any relevant details. Click to edit the text. Output Type Title Authors Download Aunt Bette's Homemade Pecan Pie Rockin’ Rocky Road Ice Cream Tom’s Heavenly Apple Strudel Joe’s Divine Butter Tarts Join SIDL Join SIDL to connect with individuals passionate about improving the lives of individuals who have self-injured and their supporters. You'll gain access to members-only content, including xyz... Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting!

Nathan Peterson, LCSW, from OCD and Anxiety Counseling in Allen, Texas, explains the difference between Self-Harm OCD and nonsuicidal self-injury as well as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for harm OCD. Season 3 | Episode 38 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 38 Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Jun 30, 2023 with Nathan Peterson Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury with Nathan Peterson 00:00 / 01:04 Approximately 1-4% of people throughout the world experience obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Individuals with OCD are more likely than those without OCD to engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and recent research has shown that, among those who self-injure, having a diagnosis of OCD predicts more severe self-injury. In this episode, licensed clinical social worker and OCD expert Nathan Peterson explains how he differentiates nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) from Self-Harm OCD, which is just one of many subtypes of OCD and one in which a person experiences intrusive thoughts or mental images of violence toward oneself. He then walks us through how he uses Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Self-Harm OCD in therapy. Learn more about Nathan and his therapy practice OCD and Anxiety Counseling here . He has nearly 100k subscribers on YouTube ( @ocdandanxiety ) where his videos receive thousands and thousands of views. You can also follow him on Instagram ( @ocdandanxietyonline ), Twitter ( @ocdandanxiety1 ), and Facebook . Click here to take his online "Do I Have Harm OCD? Test." Below are additional resources about OCD and/or NSSI: Browning, M. E., Lloyd-Richardson, E. E., Schneider, R. L., Faro, A. L., Muehlenkamp, J. J., & Claudio-Hernandez, A. (2022). Obsessive compulsive disorder and co-occurring nonsuicidal self-injury: Evidence-based treatments and future research directions . The Behavior Therapist, 45(6), 199-208. International OCD Foundation at https://iocdf.org/ . Winston, S. M., & Seif, M. N. ( 2017). Overcoming unwanted intrusive thoughts: A CBT-based guide to getting over frightening, obsessive, or disturbing thoughts . New Harbinger. Baer, L. (2012). Getting control: Overcoming your obsessions and compulsions (3rd ed.) . Plume. To learn more about how medication can help address OCD (most often in tandem with ERP but not discussed in this episode), click here . 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 " 20 Best Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and also featured in Audible's " Best Mental Health Podcasts to Defy Stigma and Begin to Heal ." Previous Next

Online 2020 Conferences / 15th Annual Conference | Online 26th - 27th June, 2020 In 2020, we hosted our 15th Annual International Conference online — our first virtual conference. Conference Schedule Information for Presenters Details Register for the conference Additional registration information NOTE: If you are from a low or low-middle income nation , please email ISSS2026@akademikonferens.se for a 20% discount. In 2020, we hosted our 15th Annual International Conference online — our first virtual conference. With a Keynote from Dr Barent Walsh, an Address from ISSS Rising Star A/Prof. Brooke Ammerman, our first virtual Happy Hour, and series of Expert Panel Discussions, we stayed safe and we stayed connected. Program Abstract Book ISSS 2020 Conference Abstract Book .pdf Download PDF • 1.25MB Keynote Slides Dr Barent Walsh

Nicholas J. Westers, Psy.D., ABPP from Children's Health and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas provides practical tips and considerations for supporting individuals who engage in self-injury and self-harm. Season 4 | Episode 51 Podcast/ Season 4 | Episode 51 Tips for Supporting Those Who Self-Harm Jul 26, 2024 with Dr. Nicholas Westers Tips for Supporting Those Who Self-Harm with Dr. Nicholas Westers 00:00 / 01:04 In this episode, host and producer of The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast, Dr. Nicholas Westers, shares his own thoughts about what we should consider when supporting friends, families, clients, and patients who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This marks the first solo episode of the podcast, and Dr. Westers offers ways for listeners to have a bigger role on the podcast, including: Should you or someone you know be interviewed on the podcast? We want to know! Please fill out this Google doc form, and we will be in touch with more details if it’s a good fit. Want to hear your question and have it answered on the podcast? Please send an audio clip of your question (60 seconds or less) to @DocWesters on Instagram or Twitter/X, or email us at thepsychologyofselfinjury@gmail.com Want to be involved in research? Send us a message at thepsychologyofselfinjury@gmail.com and we will see if we can match you to an active study. Want to interact with us through comments and polls? You can on Spotify! Below are a couple papers related to this episode with Dr. Westers: Westers, N. J., Rehfuss, M., Olson, L., & Biron, D. (2012). The role of forgiveness in adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury . The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 200 (6), 535-541. Westers, N. J. , & Tinsley, B. (2023). Nonsuicidal self-injury risk assessment, intervention, and guidance for first responders and medical settings . In E. E. Lloyd-Richardson, I. Baetens, & J. Whitlock (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of nonsuicidal self-injury (pp. 873–893). Oxford University Press. Previous Next

Rachel Acheson, PhD, and Maria Papadima, PhD, from the Association of Child Psychotherapists in London describe how today's "adolescent crisis," including self-injury and self-harm, is often expressed through mental health language. Season 3 | Episode 39 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 39 Youth Crisis, Self-Harm, & Mental Health Language Jul 28, 2023 with Drs. Rachel Acheson & Maria Papadima Youth Crisis, Self-Harm, & Mental Health Language with Drs. Rachel Acheson & Maria Papadima 00:00 / 01:04 Amidst a global youth mental health crisis, is it possible that many young people are experiencing adolescent development challenges but are using mental health language to describe their distress? Even to the degree of experiencing crises that include self-harm like nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, Drs. Maria Papadima and Rachel Acheson share observations from their clinical work with youth, consider trends such as self-diagnosing through TikTok and Instagram, discuss how they walk parents and youth through these mental health crises, and offer a psychoanalytic perspective of current trends. Learn more about Dr. Papadima and her work at www.mariapapadima.com , and read her blog about "Self-diagnosis via TikTok" here . Below is the reference and link to their paper discussed in this episode: Acheson, R., & Papadima, M. (2023). The search for identity: Working therapeutically with adolescents in crisis . Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 49 (1), 95-119. 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 #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 ." Previous Next

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

Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Collaboration / Special Interest Groups / Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Advocates for Change The Lived Experience Stigma and Recovery Special Interest Group focuses on the lived experience of self-injury, paying particular attention to issues related to stigma and recovery. Our Mission Discover More Click here to view the NSSI "Wiki" page! Representative/s of Stigma, Recovery, and Lived Experience Stephen Lewis slewis03@uoguelph.ca

Online 2021 Conferences / 16th Annual Conference | Online 23rd - 25th June, 2021 In 2021, we hosted our 16th Annual International Conference online. Conference Schedule Information for Presenters Details Register for the conference Additional registration information NOTE: If you are from a low or low-middle income nation , please email ISSS2026@akademikonferens.se for a 20% discount. 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. Program ISSS 2021 Conference Program .pdf Download PDF • 13.22MB Abstract Book ISSS 2021 Conference Abstract Book .pdf Download PDF • 1.11MB Presentation Slides Members-only Content Presentation Videos Conference Content

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