What is it about?
When patients engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), such as self-cutting or burning, they often present to therapy with new, recent wounds. Very few psychotherapists are trained what to do in these scenarios and there are no clear guidelines or recommendations outlining best practice. This article answers this question by drawing from ethical standards, scope of practice, and risk management strategies while also offering practical guidance.
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Why is it important?
Many therapists fear that NSSI will result in suicide or unintentional death, so they feel responsible to keep patients from harm by visually assessing self-injury wounds. However, there is no current research examining the effects on patients of these visual assessments and if they prevent harm or worsening of harm, or if they actually cause harm. This article is the first to tackle these issues and to practically guide psychotherapists what to do.
Perspectives
As someone who is not medically trained, I have always felt uncomfortable with the idea of visually assessing my patients' recent self-injury wounds. It seems unnecessary and intrusive to me. What exactly would I be looking for, and what would I do with what I find? In my years of working with individuals who self-injure, I have never needed to visually examine self-injury wounds to benefit my patients and keep them safe. Neither should other psychotherapists. I hope this article effectively articulates why.
Dr. Nicholas Westers
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Should psychotherapists conduct visual assessments of nonsuicidal self-injury wounds?, Psychotherapy, May 2024, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/pst0000533.
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