Psychology of Self-Harm and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) from Udemy

This is a comprehensive, in-depth, academic, yet easy-to understand introductory course which is jam-packed with 32 topics relevant to the study of self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI).

Sadly, non-suicidal self-injury has become a common behavior used by children, teens, and adults for coping with their emotional distress. Most people erroneously equate self-injurious behaviors with suicidality, but this is not always true. Self-injurers have to be treated differently than suicidal people. Moreover, self-injurers need to know that is much hope for them to recover, and that there are people-helpers who can support them in their journey towards having a more positive and meaningful life.

This certificated course will help you: (1) Understand the mindset and behaviors of people who injure themselves. (2) Assess self-injurious behaviors from the self-injurer's perspective. (3) Learn how to help people who injure themselves.

This course is NOT for you if you are depressed, self-injurious, or suicidal.

This is NOT a self-help course for people who are depressed, self-injurious, or suicidal.

This is NOT a skills-building course because skills-building is best done under supervision of a mental health professional in onsite, in-person workshops.

This course is taught by a doctor of both psychiatry and psychology who has had more than 25 years of clinical experience in helping people overcome and heal from their self-injurious tendencies and behaviors.

What's inside

Syllabus

What does research tell us about NSSI?

What are the ways teens and adults injure themselves?

How do males and females differ in committing NSSI?

True or False?

1. People who injure themselves are clearly suicidal.

2. People who injure themselves are seeking the attention of others.

3. People who injure themselves do so to manipulate others.

4. Superficial self-inflicted cuts are not big deal.

5. People who injure themselves are "emos" and "goths."

6. Self-injury is best solved by removing the instruments for self-injury.

7. Self-injury is simply a "phase" in life which people outgrow.

8. People who injure themselves must directly be told to stop.

9. Self-injurious behaviors require psychiatric hospitalization.

10. A behavioral contract is effective in stop inflicting self-injury.

Take note of your answers and they will be answered throughout this course.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides an in-depth exploration of NSSI, which can enhance the knowledge base of mental health professionals and students in related fields

Explicitly states that it is not a self-help or skills-building course, which may disappoint those seeking immediate personal solutions

Explores the mindset and behaviors of people who injure themselves, offering valuable insights into this complex issue

Focuses on how to help people who engage in NSSI, providing guidance on therapeutic relationships and effective strategies

Clearly states that this course is not suitable for individuals who are currently depressed, self-injurious, or suicidal

Taught by a doctor of both psychiatry and psychology with 25 years of clinical experience, which may lend credibility to the course material

Reviews summary

In-depth psychology of self-harm

According to learners, this course provides a comprehensive and in-depth look into the psychology of self-harm and NSSI. Students frequently praise the instructor's expertise and clarity, finding the material well-structured and the explanations easy to understand despite the complex nature of the topic. Many found it highly informative, particularly in dispelling myths and offering insights from the self-injurer's perspective. While the academic approach is appreciated, some note that the subject matter is emotionally challenging and the course is primarily suited for professional or academic study rather than being a self-help guide.

The course focuses on theory and understanding, not practical skills.

"Not a skills-building course, as stated, but excellent for theoretical knowledge."

"This is NOT a skills-building course because skills-building is best done under supervision of a mental health professional..."

Designed more for professional/academic study than general audience.

"It's essential for anyone working in mental health."

"Good for professionals needing a foundational understanding."

"Content is good, but very dense. Felt like a university lecture series... more for academic/professional study than casual learning."

Course provides thorough coverage of the topic's complexities.

"This course is incredibly well-structured and deeply informative."

"The content is comprehensive and busts many myths about self-harm."

"Learned so much about the complexities of self-injury. The focus on understanding the mindset was invaluable."

"Provides a strong academic foundation."

The instructor's knowledge and teaching style are highly rated.

"Dr. Tan is an excellent teacher. His passion for the subject and clinical experience shine through."

"The instructor is superb. Explains complex topics simply."

"The instructor's expertise is evident, and the topics are explained with great clarity."

Subject matter can be emotionally difficult for learners.

"Some parts were emotionally challenging, as expected, but the academic approach helps maintain perspective."

"Very informative and sensitive handling of a difficult topic."

"Might be intense for a general audience."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Psychology of Self-Harm and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) with these activities:

Review Adolescent Development

Show steps

Reviewing adolescent development provides a crucial foundation for understanding the unique challenges and emotional landscape of teenagers, a demographic often associated with NSSI.

Browse courses on Adolescent Development

Show steps

Read articles on adolescent cognitive and emotional development.
Review common challenges faced by adolescents.
Reflect on how developmental stages influence coping mechanisms.

Review 'The Body Keeps the Score'

Show steps

Reading 'The Body Keeps the Score' will provide a deeper understanding of the link between trauma and self-harm, enriching your understanding of the course material.

View SUMMARY of the BODY KEEPS the SCORE by BESSEL... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on sections about trauma and the body.
Take notes on key concepts and insights related to NSSI.
Reflect on how the book's ideas connect to the course content.

Participate in a Peer Discussion Group

Show steps

Discussing course concepts with peers will help solidify your understanding and expose you to different perspectives on NSSI.

Show steps

Form a study group with other students.
Choose a topic from the course to discuss.
Share your understanding and ask clarifying questions.
Summarize key takeaways from the discussion.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Create a Presentation on NSSI Myths

Show steps

Creating a presentation on common myths surrounding NSSI will reinforce your understanding of the facts and help you communicate accurate information to others.

Show steps

Research common misconceptions about NSSI.
Develop a presentation debunking these myths with evidence.
Include statistics and personal stories to illustrate the impact of NSSI.
Practice delivering the presentation.

Review 'Cutting'

Show steps

Reading 'Cutting' will provide a deeper understanding of the motivations and complexities behind self-mutilation, enriching your understanding of the course material.

View Cutting: Understanding and Overcoming Self... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book, focusing on sections about motivations and interventions.
Take notes on key concepts and insights related to NSSI.
Reflect on how the book's ideas connect to the course content.

Volunteer at a Crisis Hotline

Show steps

Volunteering at a crisis hotline will provide practical experience in supporting individuals in distress and applying your knowledge of NSSI.

Show steps

Apply to volunteer at a local crisis hotline.
Complete the required training program.
Answer calls and provide support to individuals in crisis.
Reflect on your experiences and identify areas for growth.

Career center

Learners who complete Psychology of Self-Harm and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mental Health Counselor

Mental health counselors provide counseling and support to individuals struggling with a variety of mental health issues. This course, which is an in-depth, academic introduction to self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury, can give them a solid foundation, especially since it gives the learner a mindset of people who injure themselves. The discussion of transference and counter-transference issues will also be useful for the mental health counselor in providing therapy to others.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Counselor

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapists provide individual or group therapy to help clients address their mental health concerns. This course may be useful for psychotherapists who want to deepen their understanding of self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury. The course's comprehensive coverage of the topic, including the mindset and behaviors of people who injure themselves, can enhance a psychotherapist's ability to effectively treat clients who engage in these behaviors. They usually have a master's degree. The course's discussion of therapeutic techniques is also valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychotherapist

School Counselor

School counselors support students' academic, social, and emotional development. This course, with its comprehensive study of self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury, may be useful for enhancing a school counselor's ability to identify and support students who self-injure. The course highlights the importance of understanding the mindset and behaviors of self-injurers, which helps school counselors approach students with empathy and provide appropriate interventions. Learning how schools can control the spread of NSSI among students is particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor

Marriage and Family Therapist

Marriage and family therapists provide therapy to couples and families to address relationship issues and mental health concerns. This course, with its detailed study of self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury, may be useful for understanding how these behaviors can impact family dynamics. The course's emphasis on understanding the self-injurer's perspective enables marriage and family therapists to facilitate more effective communication and healing within the family system. They need a master's degree. The major goals in helping self-injurers is particularly relevant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marriage and Family Therapist

Addiction Therapist

Addiction therapists specialize in helping individuals overcome substance abuse and related mental health issues. This course may be useful for addiction therapists because self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury can co-occur with addiction. Learning about the cyclical patterns of behavior observed in people who self-injure will help addiction therapists better understand the complexities of their clients' struggles. Learning how to help people who engage in non-suicidal self-injury provides the addiction therapist with valuable insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Addiction Therapist

Crisis Counselor

A crisis counselor provides immediate support to individuals experiencing emotional distress. This course, with its comprehensive exploration of self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury, may be useful for developing a deeper understanding of the mindset and behaviors of individuals who self-injure. Understanding the cyclical pattern of behavior observed in people who self-injure, as covered in the course, helps the crisis counselor provide more tailored and effective support. Learning how to help people who engage in non-suicidal self-injury is directly applicable to crisis intervention.

See salaries and explore the career path for Crisis Counselor

Youth Worker

Youth workers support the personal and social development of young people, often in community or educational settings. This course may be useful for enhancing a youth worker's understanding of self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury. The course provides insights into why young people might engage in these behaviors. The overview of red flags and warning signs can help youth workers identify at-risk individuals and provide timely support. The course also covers tips to give parents of self-injurers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Youth Worker

Guidance Counselor

Guidance counselors assist individuals with educational and career planning, as well as personal development. This course may be useful, since a guidance counselor may encounter students struggling with self-harm. The course's overview of warning signs that a person is inflicting self-injury will help guidance counselors identify at-risk students and provide appropriate support and resources. The course also covers the importance of understanding the mindset and behaviors of self-injurers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Guidance Counselor

Case Manager

Case managers coordinate services and support for individuals with complex needs, such as mental health issues or disabilities. This course may be useful because case managers may encounter clients who engage in self-harm. Understanding the mindset and behaviors of people who injure themselves, as covered in the course, enable case managers to better advocate for their clients and connect them with appropriate treatment options. The section on therapeutic do's and therapeutic don'ts is key.

See salaries and explore the career path for Case Manager

Social Worker

Social workers often work with vulnerable populations, providing support and connecting them with resources. This course may be useful for social workers who encounter individuals who self-injure or display non-suicidal self-injury. The course's emphasis on understanding the self-injurer's perspective is essential for building rapport and trust, which are vital in social work practice. The course provides an understanding of the power of the therapeutic relationship.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Worker

Residential Counselor

Residential counselors work in group homes or residential treatment facilities, providing support and supervision to residents. This course may be useful for residential counselors who work with individuals who have a history of self-harm or non-suicidal self-injury. The course's emphasis on understanding the self-injurer's perspective helps residential counselors build rapport and create a safe and supportive environment for residents. Also, the course's coverage of healthy coping skills may be very useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Residential Counselor

Psychiatric Nurse

Psychiatric nurses provide care for patients with mental health conditions, often in hospitals or clinics. This course, which is an in-depth introduction to self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury, may be useful as it offers the chance to learn about the mindset and behaviors of self-injurers. The discussion about the differences between NSSI and suicide attempts is practically useful to psychiatric nurses. The course's overview of therapeutic approaches and medical interventions can help nurses better understand treatment plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Psychiatric Nurse

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance abuse counselors help individuals overcome addiction and develop healthier coping mechanisms. This course, with its comprehensive introduction to self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury, is helpful, because individuals struggling with addiction may also engage in self-injurious behaviors as a way to cope with emotional distress. The course's exploration of the cyclical pattern of behavior observed in people who self-injure helps substance abuse counselors understand the underlying issues driving these behaviors. The course's discussion of healthy coping skills is also valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Substance Abuse Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation counselors help individuals with disabilities or other challenges to achieve their personal and career goals. This course may be useful for rehabilitation counselors who work with clients who have a history of self-harm or non-suicidal self-injury. Understanding the reasons people have for inflicting self-injury, as discussed in the course, helps rehabilitation counselors develop more effective and client-centered treatment plans. The course's coverage of healthy coping skills to manage NSSI urges is also very useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Rehabilitation Counselor

Mental Health Technician

Mental health technicians work under the supervision of mental health professionals to care for patients with mental health or substance abuse issues. This course may be useful for developing foundational knowledge of non-suicidal self-injury. The course's coverage of topics such as the cyclical patterns of behavior observed in self-injurers and reasons for inflicting self-injury helps mental health technicians better understand and assist patients. Understanding what research says about NSSI can improve care.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mental Health Technician

Psychology of Self-Harm and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

In-depth psychology of self-harm

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses