Rephonic
Artwork for The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health

The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health

Nicholas J. Westers Psy.D. ABPP
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
Mental Health
Youth Mental Health
Disordered Eating
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)
Self-Criticism
Self-Injury
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Distress Tolerance
Ecological Momentary Assessment
Communication Strategies
Parenting Strategies
Coping Strategies
Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder
Adolescent Substance Use
Therapeutic Techniques
Emotional Support
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders
Self-Hatred
Self-Injury Urges

Why do people self-injure? And what is the best way to respond when someone tells us they self-injure? Dr. Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist at Children's Health and Associate Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, collaborates with the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) to interview the leading experts in the field of self-injury and self-... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes58Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Social SciencesHealth & FitnessMental HealthScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Dr. Sylvanna Mirichlis from Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and ISSS Past President Dr. Stephen Lewis from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada share about the origins of the annual March 1st Self-Injury Awareness Day (... more

In this episode, Spencer Ellison and Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp read a hypothetical case vignette of a client who engages in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), has experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or is experiencing significant depression. They... more

What is paramedical tattooing and scar camouflage and how is it different than other treatments for self-injury scars? Not everyone with lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) wants or needs to address self-harm scars, but some may choose... more

In this episode, Ellie from the United Kingdom and National Health Service (NHS) shares her lived experience of atypical severe self-injury while participating in a psychiatric inpatient stay for an acute increase in severity of eating disorder sympt... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Therapist Uncensored Podcast
Therapist Uncensored PodcastSue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD
Trauma Rewired
Trauma RewiredJennifer Wallace & Elisabeth Kristof

Recent Guests

Dr. Sylvanna Mirichlis
Research associate at Curtin University's Enable Institute
Curtin University
Episode: Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1), with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis
Dr. Stephen Lewis
Research leadership chair and professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
Episode: Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1), with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis
Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei
Registered counseling and clinical psychologist with a focus on NSSI among ethnic minorities
Private practice
Episode: Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations, with Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei
Michelle Hiner
Clinical psychology PhD student at Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Episode: Effects of Emotions on Self-Injury Pain Perception, with Michelle Hiner
Dr. Johan Bjureberg
Associate professor and clinical psychologist at the Karolinska Institute, specializing in non-suicidal self-injury.
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
Episode: Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Johan Bjureberg
Lotte Rubæk
Psychologist and specialist in psychotherapy, leads a self-injury team in child and adolescent mental health services in Denmark.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Denmark
Episode: Social Media, Meta, & Self-Injury, with Lotte Rubæk
Christina Robillard
Ph.D. candidate in clinical psychology researching adolescent self-harming behaviors
University of Victoria, Canada
Episode: Self-Criticism as a Predictor of Self-Injury, with Christina Robillard
Dr. Jonas Bjärehed
Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology
Lund University
Episode: Do Youth Self-Injure More Now Than 15 Years Ago?, with Dr. Jonas Bjärehed
Dr. Amy Lucas
Clinical psychologist with lived experience of mental health difficulties and professional interests in trauma and anxiety.
Speek Health
Episode: Supporting Siblings of Individuals Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Amy Lucas

Host

Dr. Nicholas Westers
Clinical psychologist at Children's Health, associate professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 205 ratings
  • Great pod

    I have lived experience with self injury, and I have found Allison’s interview to be one of the most eye opening interviews that I’ve heard. Hearing it described as compulsive self injury was incredibly eye opening. Very educational, and super interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Koalabe
    United Statesa month ago
  • E42 of Season 3

    Wow thank you so much for agreeing to interview Allison, I have lived experience with NSSI, and I was always feeling like my experience was different than everyone else’s because I didn’t happen upon NSSI accidentally, but I deliberately chose to use NSSI—and it was always premeditated. Also, I wanted scars (I think I may have been the person you mentioned in the podcast in regarding a response you received to an episode on scarring in Season 2!)

    I so resonated with what Allison was saying in r... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Unis Young
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast

    Informative and interesting podcast on the difficult subject of self harm. Refreshing to hear such a fascinating range of perspectives

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cassandra2021
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Self-harm scarring episode

    I am someone who self harms with the intentions to leaves a scar. It frustrates me when it doesn’t leave a scar etc. I really liked the episodes !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Spoon_Selfharms
    Canada2 years ago
  • Amazing

    I am a professional and work in residential treatment. I was new to handling incidents on self harm from our clients & I wanted to seek understanding on this topic. This podcast is amazing & I have learned a lot to which I take with me into my practice.

    Audible
    5
    Ebonee
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the podcast's compassionate and thorough approach to discussing self-injury, often noting its ability to destigmatize a difficult topic.
Some highlight the importance of practical advice offered to parents and professionals navigating sensitive conversations about self-harm.
Reviews emphasize the emotional support and validation that individuals struggling with self-injury feel from the shared experiences and discussions.
Many find the expert guests to provide valuable insights, making complex subjects more accessible to a broader audience.
Overall, the podcast is regarded as a vital resource, especially for those personally affected by self-harm or in supportive roles.

Top Mental Health Podcasts

The One You Feed
The One You FeediHeartPodcasts
Therapy and Theology
Therapy and TheologyLysa TerKeurst
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads
Sh!t That Goes On In Our HeadsG-Rex and Dirty Skittles, Bleav
We're All Insane
We're All InsaneDevorah Roloff
Change Your Brain Every Day
Change Your Brain Every DayDr Daniel & Tana Amen

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are Therapists Willing to Treat Self-Injury?, with Spencer Ellison & Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp
Q: What inspired your research on therapists' willingness to treat self-injury?
It stemmed from discussions in class about therapists' comfort in treating suicidal ideation, where I noticed a gap in existing research on self-injury specifically.
Lived Experience: Ellie's Story of Atypical Severe Self-Harm
Q: Can you explain that, which is different from here in the US, where are you and what kind of care are you receiving right now?
I'm currently in a general medical hospital receiving treatment for a bit of a relapse in my eating disorder.
Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations, with Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei
Q: What about these ethnically diverse university students there in Canada? What was their tendency to seek help to address their NSSI or even their overall mental health concerns?
Dr. Gholamrezaei found that her sample had a lower rate of help seeking behavior compared to white samples, often seeking help for anxiety and depression instead of NSSI.
Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations, with Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei
Q: How did you become interested in researching and treating self-injury?
Dr. Gholamrezaei explained that her interest began during her master's program in Iran, amid social and political issues affecting young students.
Lived Experience: Allison's Story of Self-Injury & Scarring
Q: What would you recommend to professionals, therapists, and psychologists?
Ensure you have done your research on self-injury and avoid triggering language regarding the severity of wounds.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on illuminating the complex issues surrounding self-injury and mental health, episodes often feature expert guests from various fields, including clinical psychology, counseling, and social work. The discussions center on the causes, experiences, and treatment of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), providing valuable insights not only for those directly affected but also for parents, educators, and mental health professionals. The podcast uniquely emphasizes inclusive perspectives by exploring how cultural, emotional, and developmental factors contribute to self-harming behaviors and mental health challenges, aiming to reduce stigma and foster understanding around these often-taboo subjects.

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of data for three million podcasts so you can understand how popular each one is. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, chart rankings, ratings and more.

Simply upgrade your account and use these figures to decide if the show is worth pitching as a guest or sponsor.

How do I find the number of podcast views for this podcast?

There are two ways to find viewership numbers for podcasts on YouTube. First, you can search for the show on the channel and if it has an account, scroll through the videos to see how many views it gets per episode.

Rephonic also pulls the total number of views for each podcast we find a YouTube account for. You can access these figures by upgrading your account and looking at a show's social media section.

How do I find listening figures for this podcast?

Podcast streaming numbers or 'plays' are notoriously tricky to find. Fortunately, Rephonic provides estimated listener figures for this podcast and three million other podcasts in our database.

To check these stats and get a feel for the show's audience size, you'll need to upgrade your account.

How many subscribers does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast has, simply upgrade your account. You'll find a whole host of extra information to help you decide whether appearing as a sponsor or guest on this podcast is right for you or your business.

If it's not, use the search tool to find other podcasts with subscriber numbers that match what you're looking for.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. Access podcast download numbers, contact information, listener demographics and more to help you make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You can see some of this data for free. But you will need to upgrade your account to access premium data.

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 58 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contact information for you.

Where do you get podcast emails for this podcast from?

Our systems scan a variety of public sources including the podcast's official website, RSS feed, and email databases to provide you with a trustworthy source of podcast contact information. We also have our own research team on-hand to manually find email addresses if you can't find exactly what you're looking for.

Where does Rephonic collect this podcast reviews from?

Rephonic pulls reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Podcast Addict and more.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide whether this podcast is worth pitching as a guest or sponsor.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days