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2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / Peer responses... Peer responses to self-injury Mentor/s: Imke Baetens 2023 - 2024 Project Overview By exploring the impact of self-injury on peers to whom the behavior has been disclosed we will be closer to understanding peer disclosure reactions, and using this understanding to develop resources for people who self-injure and their peers. This research proposal targets university students who know someone who self-injures (whether this has been voluntary disclosed or not). Quantitative data has been collected at multiple sites (i.e., Belgium, Canada, USA and Australia) through online surveys. Datasets are available using quantitative measures. The junior researcher could contribute by taking the lead in data analyses and contribute to updating the literature review on this subject. Application Deadline: June 11 2023 Apply Now Previous Next

Home / Awards / Invited Fellow / Dr. Janis L. Whitlock Dr. Janis L. Whitlock Previous Dr. Janis Whitlock is a Senior Research Scientist and Director Emerita at the Cornell Research Program on Self-Injury and Recovery (United States). For over two decades, she has been a pioneering force in understanding the epidemiology, context, and recovery process of self-injury, especially among adolescents and college students. Her work has illuminated how social, developmental, and digital factors influence self-injury, and she has been at the forefront of translating research into accessible educational materials for clinicians, parents, and young people. Her work has been foundational in understanding self-injury among adolescents and young adults, particularly in community and online contexts. Dr. Whitlock is deeply respected for her compassionate approach, her emphasis on resilience and recovery, and her lifelong commitment to empowering individuals and communities to respond to self-injury with understanding rather than stigma. Next ISSS Fellow | 2022

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

Kathryn Gordon, PhD, from Fargo, North Dakota discusses the relationship between disordered eating and self-harm, how often they co-occur, why they co-occur, and physical pain sensitivity amidst eating disorder behavior and self-injury. Season 2 | Episode 22 Podcast/ Season 2 | Episode 22 Eating Disorders & Self-Harm Feb 25, 2022 with Dr. Katie Gordon Eating Disorders & Self-Harm with Dr. Katie Gordon 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, suicide, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and even eating disorders. In this episode, Dr. Katie Gordon, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Fargo, North Dakota, discusses the prevalence of self-injury among individuals with eating disorders and the prevalence of eating disorders among those who self-injure. She explains the relationship between the two behaviors, including common risk factors. Learn more about Dr. Gordon and her work on her website at https://kathrynhgordon.com/ . Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @DrKathrynGordon . You can purchase her book The Suicidal Thoughts Workbook: CBT Skills to Reduce Emotional Pain, Increase Hope, and Prevent Suicide on Amazon here . Below are links to some of Dr. Gordon's research as well as resources referenced in this episode: Kiekens, G., & Claes, L. (2020). Non-suicidal self-injury and eating disordered behaviors: An update on what we do and do not know . Current Psychiatry Reports, 22 (68). Fox, K. R., Wang, S. B., Boccagno, C., Haynos, A. F., Kleiman, E., & Hooley, J. M. (2019). Comparing self-harming intentions underlying eating disordered behaviors and NSSI: Evidence that distinctions are less clear than assumed . International Journal of Eating Disorders, 52 (5), 564-575. Smith, A. R., et al. (2013). Exercise caution: Over-exercise is associated with suicidality among individuals with disordered eating . Psychiatry Research, 206 (2-3), 246-255. Gordon, K. H., Perez, M., & Joiner, T. E. (2002). The impact of racial stereotypes on eating disorder recognition . International Journal of Eating Disorders, 32 (2), 219-224. 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

About Self-Injury Self-Injury and Suicide Resources / About Self-Injury / Self-Injury and Suicide "Related but not the same" The relationship between NSSI and suicide is complex. Although NSSI is not a suicidal behavior itself, it is a reliable predictor of later suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts (Kiekens et al., 2018, Ribeiro et al., 2016). So, why is this the case? There are lots of factors that contribute to the relationship between NSSI and suicidal behaviours. A recent review by Griep and MacKinnon (2020) found that past-year NSSI frequency and depressive symptoms increase an individual's risk of attempting suicide. There were mixed findings regarding age and sex differences. Suicidality can fluctuate over time. It is important to continually check in with clients and loved ones regarding their self-injury and suicidality. References Kiekens, G., Hasking, P., Boyes, M., Claes, L., Mortier, P., Auerbach, R. P., Cuijpers, P., Demyttenaere, K., Greene, J. G., Kessler, R. C., Myin-Germeys, I., Nock, M. K., & Bruffaerts, R. (2018). The associations between non-suicidal self-injury and first onset suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Journal of Affective Disorders , 239 , 171-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.06.033 Griep, S. K., & MacKinnon, D. F. (2020). Does nonsuicidal self-injury predict later suicidal attempts? A review of studies. Archives of Suicide Research , 26 , 428-446. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2020.1822244 Ribeiro, J. D., Franklin, J. C., Fox, K. R., Bentley, K. H., Kleiman, E. M., Chang, B. P., & Nock, M. K. (2015). Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors as risk factors for future suicide ideation, attempts, and death: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Medicine , 46 , 225-236. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715001804

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / Meta-analysis: NSSI and other... Meta-analysis examining co-occurrence of NSSI with “externalizing” behaviours and disorders Mentor/s: Briana Turner 2023 - 2024 Project Overview My graduate students and I began a meta-analysis examining co-occurrence of NSSI and “externalizing” behaviours and disorders in 2017 and worked on this through 2020; although article extraction and coding were underway, due to parental and family leaves of the Principal Investigator, the literature review now needs to be re-updated, and the coding and analyses remain to be completed. If a junior researcher with experience in meta-analysis was willing to assist our team in refreshing our review and analyzing the data, we would be thrilled to work with them and share what we have learned so far! Application Deadline: June 11 2023 Apply Now Previous Next

About Self-Injury Talking About Self-Injury Resources / About Self-Injury / Talking About Self-Injury "Adopt respectful curiosity" The language we use to talk about people and the behaviours they engage in is powerful. Language is the medium we use to communicate our understanding of the world, to establish social structures, define cultures, and establish meaning to phenomena and people. Language shapes the way we view the world and our place in it. The language that is commonly used when talking about NSSI and people with lived experience of NSSI is often derogatory, can perpetuate myths and foster stigma, and can make people with lived experience feel even more misunderstood and isolated. Conversely, adopting a "respectful curiosity" and being conscious of using respectful language can open the way for helpful conversations and encourage support seeking. Top Tips Always be respectful when talking about NSSI, or people with a lived experience of NSSI Poorly-considered language can exacerbate stigma among people who already feel highly stigmatised Avoid language that defines a person by their behaviour (e.g., “cutter”; “self-injurer”) Avoid language that is value-laden (e.g., good/bad), or propagates stigma (e.g., attention-seeking) Use of appropriate language can foster open communication and facilitate support-seeking Check out specific guidelines for members of the media in reporting on and writing about NSSI. References Hasking, P., & Boyes, M. (2018). Cutting words: A commentary on language and stigma in the context of nonsuicidal self-injury. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease , 206 , 829-833. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmd.0000000000000899 Hasking, P., Lewis, S. P., & Boyes, M. E. (2019). When language is maladaptive: Recommendations for discussing self-injury. Journal of Public Mental Health , 18 , 148-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-01-2019-0014 Lewis, S. P. (2017). I cut therefore I am? Avoiding labels in the context of self-injury. Medical Humanities , 43 , Article 204. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2017-011221

2023 - 2024 Home / Collaborative Research Program / NSSI and other coping... Examining predictors of co-occurrence of NSSI with other potentially harmful coping behaviours Mentor/s: Briana Turner 2023 - 2024 Project Overview We collected prospective, monthly surveys from two cohorts of first year university students (n=704). A core aim of this study was to examine trajectories and co-occurrence of potentially harmful coping behaviours, including NSSI, during students’ first year of university. We administered a broad range of personality measures at baseline, in September (e.g., Ten Item Personality Inventory, BIS/BAS, Sensitivity to punishment and sensitivity to reward, UPPS-P impulsivity, DERS) as well as behavioral measures of decision-making. Subsequently, we collected information about participants’ mood, wellbeing, and engagement in various potentially harmful coping behaviours, namely NSSI, disordered eating, substance misuse, physical aggression, and financial risk-taking (compulsive shopping, gambling). Over the upcoming year, I intend to analyze co-occurrence of these behaviors over the year, as well as personality and behavioral predictors of distinct profiles of coping behaviors. I would welcome junior researchers to be involved in this project to refine skills in longitudinal data analysis. Application Deadline: June 11 2023 Apply Now Previous Next

Barent Walsh, PhD, author of "Treating Self-Injury: A Practical Guide" and Executive Director Emeritus and Senior Clinical Consultant at Open Sky Community Services in Worcester, MA, describes the forms, functions, and treatment of atypical, severe self-injury and self-harm. Season 1 | Episode 12 Podcast/ Season 1 | Episode 12 Atypical Severe Self-Injury May 7, 2021 with Dr. Barry Walsh Atypical Severe Self-Injury with Dr. Barry Walsh 00:00 / 01:04 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, more significant forms of self-harm and self-harming behaviors that do not fit neatly within the typical definition of NSSI, like ingesting foreign objects to intentionally cause internal injury? And how do these forms of “Atypical Severe Self-Injury” differ in function and severity from more common forms of self-injury? In this episode, Dr. Barry Walsh details 3 specific forms of Atypical, Severe Self-Injury, explains their unique functions, and shares clinical guidelines for treating those who engage in Atypical, Severe Self-Injury. Learn more about Dr. Walsh and his work at Open Sky Community Services by visiting www.openskycs.org . Below are links to some of his research and publications referenced in this episode: Walsh, B. W. (2014). Treating self-injury: A practical guide (2nd ed.) . New York: Guilford. Walsh, B. W. (2019). Atypical, severe self-injury: How to understand and treat it. In J. J. Washburn (Ed.), Nonsuicidal self-injury: Advances in research and practice . New York: Routledge. Atypical and severe nonsuicidal self-injury as an indicator of severe psychopathology: Findings from a sample of high-risk community mental health clients (Hom et al., 2018) Follow Dr. Westers on Instagram and Twitter (@DocWesters). To join ISSS, visit itriples.org and follow ISSS on Facebook and Twitter (@ITripleS). Previous Next

Nani Kim, RN, at the University of Texas at Austin shares a review of research on help-seeking behaviors for self-injury and self-harm. Season 5 | Episode 63 Podcast/ Season 5 | Episode 63 Help-Seeking for Self-Injury Jul 25, 2025 with Nani Kim, RN Help-Seeking for Self-Injury with Nani Kim, RN 00:00 / 01:04 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 common reasons people give for choosing to seek help for self-harm, common forms of help-seeking behavior for NSSI, how often individuals who self-injure seek help for their self-injury, why they choose to seek help, what types of help they receive, and what happens when they seek help for self-injury. Below are a few references from this episode: Kim, N., Young, C. C., Kim, B. R., Rew, L., & Westers, N. J. (in press). Help-seeking behaviors in adolescents and young adults who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury: An integrative review . Journal of Adolescent Health . Advance online publication (free to access through August 7, 2025). Nadler, A. (1987). Determinants of help seeking behaviour: The effects of helper’s similarity, task centrality and recipient’s self esteem . European Journal of Social Psychology, 17 (1), 57-67. Mackesy, C. (2019). The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse: Inspiring conversations on hope, love and personal growth . HarperOne. Previous Next

Ruth Tatnell, PhD, from Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia describes how the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdown affected rates of self-injury and self-harm. Season 3 | Episode 33 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 33 Did Self-Injury Increase During the COVID-19 Lockdown? Jan 27, 2023 with Dr. Ruth Tatnell Did Self-Injury Increase During the COVID-19 Lockdown? with Dr. Ruth Tatnell 00:00 / 01:04 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 risk for suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). In this episode, Dr. Ruth Tatnell answers questions about the pandemic's effects on rates of self-injury: Did the initial lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic increase self-injury urges and behaviors like many people thought would happen? And do we know if self-harm has increased, decreased, or stayed the same since the first lockdown of the pandemic? Learn more about Dr. Tatnell and her work at Deakin University here , and connect with her on LinkedIn here . Below is her publication discussed in this month's episode as well as additional articles referenced in our interview: Tatnell, R., Terhaag, S., & Melvin, G. (2023). Covid-19 lockdown and non-suicidal self-injury: A Mixed methods analysis of NSSI during Australia's national lockdown . Archives of Suicide Research . Online ahead of print. Tanaka, T., & Okamoto, S. (2021). Increase in suicide following an initial decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan . Nature Human Behaviour, 5 (2), 229–238. Read about the Harvard Happiness Study published in The Atlantic here . Read about the Cigna loneliness study here and their tips for addressing loneliness 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 " Best 20 Clinical Psychology Podcasts " and by Welp Magazine in their " 20 Best Injury Podcasts ." Previous Next

Kim Gratz, PhD, and Matthew Tull, PhD, from the University of Toledo walk us through Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury and self-harm. Season 3 | Episode 34 Podcast/ Season 3 | Episode 34 Emotion Regulation Group Therapy for Self-Harm Feb 24, 2023 with Dr. Kim Gratz and Dr. Matthew Tull Emotion Regulation Group Therapy for Self-Harm with Dr. Kim Gratz and Dr. Matthew Tull 00:00 / 01:04 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 to address NSSI specifically. In this episode, we dive into one of these treatments: Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT). Drs. Kim Gratz and Matthew Tull from the University of Toledo in Ohio walk us through in significant detail each of the 90-minute 14 sessions of ERGT. Learn more about Dr. Gratz here and reach her at klgratz28@gmail.com . Learn more about Dr. Tull here and follow him on Twitter @MTTull . Learn more about the Personality and Emotion Research and Treatment (PERT) Laboratory within the Department of Psychology at the University of Toledo here , and follow the PERT Lab on Twitter @LabPert . Below are links to their research on ERGT referenced in this episode: Gratz, K. L., & Gunderson, J. G. (2006). Preliminary data on an acceptance-based emotion regulation group intervention for deliberate self-harm among women with Borderline Personality Disorder . Behavior Therapy, 37 (1), 25-35. Gratz, K. L., & Tull, M. T. (2011). Extending research on the utility of an adjunctive emotion regulation group therapy for deliberate self-harm among women with borderline personality pathology . Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 2 (4), 316–326. Gratz, K. L., Tull, M. T., & Levy, R. (2014). Randomized controlled trial and uncontrolled 9-month follow-up of an adjunctive emotion regulation group therapy for deliberate self-harm among women with borderline personality disorde r. Psychological Medicine, 44 , 2099–2112. Gratz, K. L., Bardeen, J. R., Levy, R., Dixon-Gordon, K., L., & Tull, M. T. (2015). Mechanisms of change in an emotion regulation group therapy for deliberate self-harm among women with borderline personality disorder . Behaviour Research and Therapy, 65 , 29-35. Sahlin, H., Bjureberg, J., Gratz, K. L., Tull, M. T., Hedman, E., Bjarehed, J., Jokinen, J., Lundh, L., Ljotsson, B., & Hellner, C. (2017). Emotion regulation group therapy for deliberate self-harm: A multi-site evaluation in routine care using an uncontrolled open trial design . BMJ Open, 7 (10), e016220. 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