Understanding Repeated Self-Injury: A Multidisciplinary Approach - Softcover

Tantam, Digby

Softcover

ISBN 10: 140393696X ISBN 13: 9781403936967

Publisher: Palgrave, 2009

Synopsis

Why do some people repeatedly injure themselves? How common is this form of self-harm? How can professionals offer appropriate intervention and support to those whose lives are troubled by it, either directly or indirectly? This authoritative and systematic book adopts a holistic approach to the problem of repeated self-injury and the difficult emotions and experiences that it gives rise to.

Bringing together theory, research and a wealth of case vignettes, Understanding Repeated Self-Injury examines both the psychological and physical aspects of self-injury. The authors explain how deliberate cutting or burning of the skin is used by many as a way to overcome and temporarily escape bad feeling and thus transcend the limits of their identity.

In particular, the book
- Presents a unifying model for theory and practice, based on the phenomenology of self-injury
- Examines the important role of identity and dissociation in perpetuating self-injury
- Considers the wider impact of self-injury on family and friends, and on staff
- Addresses treatment strategies and self-help resources

Each chapter draws on the authors' considerable clinical experience across a range of contexts, and is written with professionals and trainees particularly in mind. This book is an essential introduction and indispensable resource for those working, or considering to work, in counselling, therapeutic and health care settings where they are or might be confronted with the complexities of self-injury.

About this title

About the Author

DIGBY TANTAM is Clinical Professor of Psychotherapy and co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Conflict and Reconciliation at the University of Sheffield, UK.; NICK HUBAND is Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham, UK, and Clinical Research Fellow of the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

From the Back Cover

Why do some people repeatedly injure themselves? How common is this form of self-harm? How can professionals offer appropriate intervention and support to those whose lives are troubled by it, either directly or indirectly? This authoritative and systematic book adopts a holistic approach to the problem of repeated self-injury and the difficult emotions and experiences that it gives
rise to.

Bringing together theory, research and a wealth of case vignettes, Understanding Repeated Self-Injury examines both the psychological and physical aspects of self-injury. The authors explain how deliberate cutting or burning of the skin is used by many as a way to overcome and temporarily escape bad feeling and thus transcend the limits of their identity.

In particular, the book
- presents a unifying model for theory and practice, based on the phenomenology of self-injury
- examines the important role of identity and dissociation in perpetuating self-injury
- considers the wider impact of self-injury on family and friends, and on staff
- addresses treatment strategies and self-help resources.

Each chapter draws on the authors' considerable clinical experience across a range of contexts, and is written with professionals and trainees particularly in mind. This book is an essential introduction and indispensable resource for those working, or considering to work, in counselling, therapeutic and health care settings where they are or might be confronted with the complexities of self-injury.

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 140393696X
• ISBN 13: 9781403936967
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248