Self-Injurious Behaviors: Empathy, Understanding, And Effective Treatment

Over the last 20 years, Dr. Dana Wyss has witnessed the acts and aftereffects of children, adolescents, and adults who mutilate their bodies to express overwhelming emotions. At a time when these individuals need to be most connected, they perpetuate disconnection through self-injury, which others often perceive as horrific. Mental health providers and families may respond to self-injury with shame, disappointment, horror, and helplessness. The act of shedding blood creates an immediate sense of connection to the inner body because blood is considered the essence of life. Self-injury typically begins in early adolescence but can become more frequent over time. Documented self-injury occurrences have significantly increased in recent years.

All service providers are equally at high risk due to their own feelings of PTSD, depression, hopelessness, compassion fatigue and burnout. This training is an inspiring exploration of the impact that self-injury has on individuals, their families, and service providers. Through activities and discussion, this training aims to raise support for ourselves as well as the individuals and families we serve at a time when they often feel the least connection to others. Weaving between the literature, stories from experience, and experiential exercises, the goal is to facilitate empathy and understanding to provide those who are suffering improved treatment. A secondary aim is to support the service providers to create strong plans for their own wellness while working with such an impactful issue.

4 CEs are available for NYS LMHCs, LMSWs, LCSWs, LMFTs, LCATs , NYS Licensed Psychologists and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts upon completion of training.

Objectives:

1. Identify several types of Self-Injury

2. Explain how to differentiate warning signs and risk factors for different clients

3. Identify three or more replacement behaviors to support someone who engages in self-injurious behaviors.

4. Name three things to say and/ or do to support someone who is currently at risk for self-injury

5. Be able to apply three ways to provide nonverbal support to someone who is engaging in self-injurious behavior

6. Develop a strong plan to support your own wellness in response to the work with self-injurious behaviors.

In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to the day before the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Dana Wyss, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified clinical art therapist, and is co-author of The Invisible String Workbook. Her doctorate in expressive therapies has led her to create programs integrating art, music, poetry, dance, and animal-assisted therapy in the healing process for clients and the self-care of staff.

For the last 20 years, Dr. Wyss has worked in psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and nonpublic school settings to manage crisis, conduct trainings, coach staff, and support children and families. Dr. Wyss is currently a Corporate Clinical Training Specialist and Clinical/Art therapy supervisor at Stars Behavioral Health Group, a company specializing in the treatment of complex developmental trauma. Dr. Wyss is a national trainer and consultant with the Center for Trauma Training and national trainer to raise awareness of commercial sexual exploitation of children. She uses her creativity for her own healing as well as to support others.

Host or Publisher Hudson Valley Professional Development