Written for health professionals.

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Product Description

Uniquely practical and comprehensive, this timely guide addresses a problem that is on the rise, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #362022 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 317 pages

Review

"Finally there is a book that integrates the most current research in the field of self-injury with useful clinical approaches. Walsh's expertise as a researcher and clinician shines in his sensible approach to an often misunderstood and difficult topic. Through the use of case examples, research, and practical exercises, this book provides professionals with a thorough understanding of self-injury and its treatment." - Tracy Alderman, Chapman University - San Diego; author of The Scarred Soul: Understanding and Ending Self-Inflicted Violence, USA

"Comprehensive and highly readable, this book provides what has long been needed - a thorough, compassionate, and practical guide to understanding, evaluating, and treating the complex and multifaceted behavior that is self-injury. Walsh's book is sure to become an invaluable and indispensable resource, required reading for anyone working with those who self-injure." - Caroline Kettlewell, author of Skin Game: A Memoir

"Walsh delivers a wise and thoughtful set of directives for reaching those who self-harm. He clearly defines their dynamics and constructs an assessment and treatment strategy that is sound and empirically based. This book deserves every clinician’s attention." - Alan L. Berman, Executive Director, American Association of Suicidology, USA

"A pioneer in the field, Walsh has created a comprehensive guide to understanding and treating self-injury. His compilation of current research and his discussion of available treatment models are unparalleled." - Wendy Lader and Karen Conterio, Founders, S.A.F.E. Alternatives; authors of Bodily Harm: The Breakthrough Treatment Program for Self-Injurers

"When I asked my seminar of school psychologist interns how many were presently working with young people who self-injure, every hand in the room went up. This excellent, well-organized text has given my graduate students strategies for assessment, intervention, and management of self-injury that will likely be well utilized in daily professional practice." - Joy E. Fopiano, Program and Clinical Coordinator, School Psychology, Southern Connecticut State University, USA

"Walsh's clear explanations of the therapeutic models enables even beginning clinicians with little exposure to CBT to understand the origins and rationale for his approach, and then be able to apply the techniques in their work with clients." - Clinical Social Work Journal

From the Back Cover

Uniquely practical and comprehensive, this timely guide addresses a problem that is on the rise, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Practitioners gain a wealth of knowledge about the variety and causes of self-injurious behavior and how to recognize it in people at risk, ranging from those who do not have psychiatric diagnoses to those with eating or mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, or psychoses. Illustrated with detailed case examples, clear guidelines are presented for assessing clients and conducting evidence-based interventions using replacement skills training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure treatment, psychopharmacology, and family- and school-based strategies. Reproducible clinical materials are included.

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Customer Reviews

Valuable resource for understanding and treating self-injury
In the first part of this accessible and comprehensive work, Barent does a sterling job of distinguishing the difference between self-injury and body alterations (tattoos, piercing, brands, etc.) and self-injury and suicide. Echoing my own view, he also presents a strong case for steering clear of suicidal language when referring to self-injury, for example, terms such as "attempted suicide," "suicidal gesture," and "parasuicide."

The main thrust of the book is on assessment and treatment of self-injury, for which Barent proposes an inspiring bio-cognitive-behavioural approach. Topics addressed in Part Two include contingency management, replacements skills training, cognitive treatment, body image work, exposure treatment and resolution of trauma, family treatment, psychopharmacological treatment, and managing the reactions of therapists and other caregivers to self-injury.

Later chapters deal with specific issues such as self-injury contagion, managing self-injury in school settings, and treating major self-injury.

Overall, Barent has done a masterful job of blending facts, theories, case examples, and practical exercises to create an engaging and thorough guide to understanding, assessment, and treatment of self-injury. This excellent resource deserves a well-earned place on the bookshelves of mental health practitioners, researchers, and anyone else interested in this challenging and complex behaviour.

Jan Sutton
Author of Healing the Hurt Within: Understand Self-Injury and Self-Harm, and Heal the Emotional Wounds

Essential Reading!
This book is essential reading for ALL healthcare professionals coming into contact with people who self-injure.

Drawing from his own vast experience of working with people who self-injure over more than 30 years, and extensive research into literature about self-injury, Walsh provides a comprehensive resource for professionals who come into contact with self-injury. Walsh takes into account the variety of reasons behind self-injury, and offers a guide to treatment which is suitable for everyone.

I cannot praise this book highly enough. Walsh includes general information about self-injury as well as much needed practical information for professionals, I have not previously come across such a useful tool contained in one book.

This is essential reading for every mental health professional and therapist, but it will also be of use to GPs, those working in educational setting, people with an interest in self-injury, and also for those who injure themselves if they are interested in academically based information on self-injury!