Best Self Mutilation Podcasts (2025)

1
Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1), with Drs. Sylvanna Mirichlis & Stephen Lewis 1:41:56

2d ago1:41:56

1:41:56

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 (SIAD), what people around the world are doing as part of this day, and what our ISSS Stigma, Recover…

1
Are Therapists Willing to Treat Self-Injury?, with Spencer Ellison & Dr. Jennifer Muehlenkamp 49:19

1M ago49:19

49:19

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 then tell us how willing therapists are to treat each case (self-injury vs. suicide vs. depression)…

1
Paramedical Tattooing for Self-Harm Scars, with Tattoo Artist Elena & Her Client 49:17

2M ago49:17

49:17

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 to reduce or get rid of them as part of their recovery journey. Elena from Illusions by Ink Studio …

1
Lived Experience: Ellie's Story of Atypical Severe Self-Harm 1:25:35

3M ago1:25:35

1:25:35

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 symptoms. She discusses how she has used her experiences as a patient and recipient of mental healthcare …

1
Self-Injury Among Ethnically Diverse Populations, with Dr. Maryam Gholamrezaei 52:10

4M ago52:10

52:10

In this episode, Maryam Gholamrezaei, PhD, C.Psych, shares about her interviews with racially and ethnically diverse individuals who self-injure, including their responses to her question, “In your culture, what is the general response to people who engage in self-harming behaviors?” She also discusses gender differences in nonsuicidal self-injury …

1
Effects of Emotions on Self-Injury Pain Perception, with Michelle Hiner 47:26

5M ago47:26

47:26

Does the emotion someone experiences immediately preceding an episode of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) influence how painful that episode of self-harm feels? In this episode, Michelle Hiner, MS, a Clinical Psychology PhD student in the Emotion and Psychopathology (EmP) Lab at Rutgers University in New Jersey talks about how individuals who self-ha…

1
Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Johan Bjureberg 1:13:55

6M ago1:13:55

1:13:55

Emotion Regulation Individual Therapy for Adolescents (ERITA) and its internet-delivered version (IERITA) is just one of a couple of treatments developed specifically to address nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents. In this episode, Dr. Johan Bjureberg from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden walks us through in detail each of…

1
Tips for Supporting Those Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Nicholas Westers 41:29

7M ago41:29

41:29

In this episode, host and producer of The Psychology of Self-Injury podcast, Dr. Nicholas Westers, shares his own thoughts about what we should consider when supporting friends, families, clients, and patients who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). This marks the first solo episode of the podcast, and Dr. Westers offers ways for listeners to…

1
Social Media, Meta, & Self-Injury, with Lotte Rubæk 1:03:21

8M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

In this episode, Lotte Rubæk, MSc, who leads the Self-Injury Team in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Capital Region of Denmark, talks about why interaction on image-based social media platforms like Instagram can be particularly appealing to young people who self-harm. She discusses the dynamics that can arise between users in the more close…

1
Self-Criticism as a Predictor of Self-Injury, with Christina Robillard 42:57

9M ago42:57

42:57

In this episode, Christina Robillard talks about how self-criticism can lead to increases in self-injury urges within the next two hours as well as the relationship between self-criticism and disordered eating. She explains how she and her team use ecological momentary assessment (EMA; see Season 1, Episode 11 with Dr. Glenn Kiekens) to assess self…

1
Lived Experience: Thomas' Story of Self-Injury & Gender Dysphoria 58:38

10M ago58:38

58:38

Approximately 47% of transgender adults and 55.7% of transgender and non-binary youth report having engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) at some point in their life. In this episode, Thomas details his experience of self-harm beginning at age 12, how his self-injury evolved over time, and how it related to his gender dysphoria. He also discuss…

1
Do Youth Self-Injure More Now Than 15 Years Ago?, with Dr. Jonas Bjärehed 46:41

11M ago46:41

46:41

In this episode, Dr. Jonas Bjärehed from Lund University in Sweden walks us through his research on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) that he began in 2007 as part of his dissertation project. For example, he shares high prevalence rates of NSSI in Sweden (~40%) and discusses gender differences of NSSI among adolescents in 2007 compared to 2023. He al…

1
Supporting Siblings of Individuals Who Self-Harm, with Dr. Amy Lucas 51:19

1y ago51:19

51:19

In this episode, Dr. Amy Lucas from Speek Health in the United Kingdom talks about supporting siblings of those who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). How can parents and caregivers of those who self-injure determine if they should share that information with siblings? What should parents do or say if they learn that the one self-injuring ha…

1
DSM-5 & Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder, with Dr. Greg Lengel 1:11:44

1y ago1:11:44

1:11:44

In 2013, the 5th edition of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) was released, and for the first time it included Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Disorder as a Condition for Further Study. It is not an actual diagnosis at this time, but there are currently six criteria listed (see below, bottom of page). In this episode, Dr. Greg…

1
How Should Self-Harm Be Defined?, with Drs. Brooke Ammerman & Greg Lengel 51:48

1y ago51:48

51:48

What exactly constitutes nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? Dr. Brooke Ammerman from the University of Notre Dame and Dr. Greg Lengel from Drake University discuss the complexities of defining NSSI. They also describe the difference between deliberate self-harm and NSSI and share their research about what many clinicians, researchers, and people with …

1
Where Does Self-Injury Fit Within Self-Damaging Behaviors?, with Dr. Brianna Turner 48:56

1+ y ago48:56

48:56

The term "self-harm" is an umbrella term, encompassing a broad range of behaviors, under which is included substance abuse and misuse, eating disorders, suicide, and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). In this episode, Dr. Brianna Turner from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada discusses how often self-damaging behaviors, including r…

1
Lived Experience: Allison's Story of Self-Injury & Scarring 59:01

1+ y ago59:01

59:01

In this episode, Allison details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) beginning in 9th grade and into her 20's. She explains the complex relationship she and many others have with their self-harm scars and discusses how her husband has supported her when she has self-injured. She also shares about how she makes sense of her …

1
Self-Injury in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD), with Caroline Roberts 49:04

1+ y ago49:04

49:04

Up to 1 in 5 (20%) individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and about 3 in 7 (42%) individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB). Common forms of SIB include repetitive head banging, head-hitting, self-biting, self-hitting, eye-poking, skin-picking, and trichotillomania (hair pulli…

1
The Psychology of Self-Injury Pain, with Dr. Julian Koenig 1:05:12

1+ y ago1:05:12

1:05:12

What is the relationship between nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and pain? Are individuals who self-injure less sensitive to pain than those who don’t self-injure? What are the ethics involved in conducting research on pain? In this episode, Dr. Julian Koenig describes the research on the experience of pain among those who self-harm. Learn more abou…

1
Youth Crisis, Self-Harm, & Mental Health Language, with Drs. Rachel Acheson & Maria Papadima 1:05:23

1+ y ago1:05:23

1:05:23

Amidst a global youth mental health crisis, is it possible that many young people are experiencing adolescent development challenges but are using mental health language to describe their distress? Even to the degree of experiencing crises that include self-harm like nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, Drs.…

1
Self-Harm OCD vs. Nonsuicidal Self-Injury, with Nathan Peterson 51:40

1+ y ago51:40

51:40

Approximately 1-4% of people throughout the world experience obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Individuals with OCD are more likely than those without OCD to engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and recent research has shown that, among those who self-injure, having a diagnosis of OCD predicts more severe self-injury. In this episode, licen…

1
A Dad & Daughter Discuss Her Lived Experience of Self-Harm 1:28:19

2y ago1:28:19

1:28:19

What is a parent's role in helping their child recover from self-injury? What might a dad say about supporting his child when he learns his child is engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? In this episode, a father and daughter sit down to discuss her lived experience of self-injury and self-harm and how parents, especially dads, can support th…

1
Self-Injury Recovery: A Person-Centered Approach, with Drs. Stephen Lewis & Penny Hasking 57:19

2y ago57:19

57:19

In this episode, ISSS Past Presidents Dr. Stephen Lewis from the University of Guelph in Canada, and Dr. Penelope Hasking from Curtin University in Australia talk about a new way of understanding self-injury and self-harm, with a special focus on recovery. In their person-centered approach, they emphasize the perspective of lived experience, move a…

1
The Neurobiology of Self-Injury (in Layman's Terms), with Dr. Michael Kaess 50:41

2y ago50:41

50:41

What goes on at the neurobiological level that makes someone more vulnerable to self-injure or self-harm? What biological risk factors are at play? What roles do the vagus nerve, cortisol levels, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have? We hope to discuss the psychology of self-injury pain in a future episode, but in this episode, Dr. Mi…

1
Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT) for Self-Harm, with Drs. Kim Gratz & Matthew Tull 1:40:21

2y ago1:40:21

1:40:21

A lot of therapies address the context in which nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm may occur, but only a few treatments have been designed to address NSSI specifically. In this episode, we dive into one of these treatments: Emotion Regulation Group Therapy (ERGT). Drs. Kim Gratz and Matthew Tull from the University of Toledo in Ohio walk …

1
Did Self-Injury Increase During the COVID-19 Lockdown?, with Dr. Ruth Tatnell 39:38

2y ago39:38

39:38

Early in the pandemic there was a lot of talk about how the initial lockdown and stay-at-home orders would affect people’s mental health, including risk for suicide and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). In this episode, Dr. Ruth Tatnell answers questions about the pandemic's effects on rates of self-injury: Did the initial lockdown of the COVID-19 pa…

1
The Evolution of Self-Injury Treatment, with Dr. Wendy Lader 52:54

2y ago52:54

52:54

In 1986, the first treatment program in the United States specifically for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) opened its doors. Self Abuse Finally Ends, better known as S.A.F.E. Alternatives, was a 30-day inpatient program for the treatment of self-injury and self-harm. In this episode, Dr. Wendy Lader, the Co-Founder and retired Clinical Director of S…

1
The Psychology of Self-Injury Scarring, with Dr. Taylor Burke 43:25

2+ y ago43:25

43:25

How are scars from nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) different than physical scars that are unintentional or result from non-self-inflicted wounds ? What psychological effects can result from daily reminders of one's own decision to self-harm? Is there an association between NSSI scars and suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, Dr. Burke di…

1
Lived Experience: Kirsty's Story of Self-Injury & Advocacy 40:49

2+ y ago40:49

40:49

In this episode, Kirsty Moore details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) beginning at age 14 and into her 30's. She discusses her training in psychology and how she integrates research on NSSI with her lived experience of self-harm as a form of advocacy when conducting workshops on NSSI for the community. Connect with Dr. …

1
Digital Interventions for Self-Harm, with Dr. Kaylee Kruzan 47:03

2+ y ago47:03

47:03

What digital interventions exist for addressing nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? And do they and peer-support apps help in reducing NSSI urges and behaviors? What do individuals with lived experience of self-injury say that they look for in app-based technology to address self-injury? In this episode, Dr. Kruzan from Northwestern University Feinberg…

1
Self-Injury Under Age 12, with Dr. Imke Baetens & Lisa Van Hove 50:29

2+ y ago50:29

50:29

Just how prevalent is self-injury among children under age 12? Do the types and methods they use differ from those who self-injure at other ages? What about the reasons they give for self-injuring? In this episode, Dr. Imke Baetens and PhD candidate Lisa Van Hove from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) discuss the prevalence of self-i…

1
Self-Injury Over Age 40, with Dr. Sarah Swannell 47:09

2+ y ago47:09

47:09

What is the prevalence of self-injury among adults over age 40? And what differentiates those who report having stopped self-injuring from those who continue to self-injure? How do they differ from those under age 25 who self-injure, including related to suicidal thoughts and behaviors? In this episode, psychologist Dr. Sarah Swannell from Australi…

1
Self-Injury in Film: "PERFECTION" the Movie, with Actor & Director Christina Beck 44:28

2+ y ago44:28

44:28

Every screenwriter and film director is different and each has their own intentions and motivations, but what goes into the writing of characters who engage in self-injury and self-harm? How are such films inspired, and how do writers and directors choose to frame self-injury content? In this episode, screenwriter, director, and actress Christina B…

1
Self-Injury Location: Visible vs Concealed, with Dr. Kathryn Gardner 45:13

3y ago45:13

45:13

Does it matter where on the body someone cuts, whether on typically more visible sites such as the forearm and wrist, or in typically more concealed areas, such as the upper arm and torso? Is there a relationship between where someone cuts on their body and their likelihood of continuing to engage in the behavior? In this episode, Dr. Gardner discu…

1
Self-Harm Across Cultures, with Dr. Marc Wilson 1:00:14

3y ago1:00:14

1:00:14

Are there countries, races, or ethnicities with higher or lower rates of self-injury? How prevalent is NSSI among indigenous peoples, and what role does culture play in the form, function, and meaning of self-injury? In this episode, Dr. Marc Wilson from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington in Aotearoa New Zealand shares about cross-cu…

1
Single-Session Intervention for Self-Harm, with Mallory Dobias 40:32

3y ago40:32

40:32

According to a 2020 national survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), among 52.9 million adults with any mental illness in the United States, 46.2% received mental health services in the past year, which means more than half did not. Although there are known, effective treatments for mental disorders, the Wo…

1
Eating Disorders & Self-Harm, with Dr. Katie Gordon 38:55

3y ago38:55

38:55

The term "self-harm" is an umbrella term, encompassing a broad range of behaviors, under which is included substance abuse and misuse, suicide, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and even eating disorders. In this episode, Dr. Katie Gordon, a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Fargo, North Dakota, discusses the prevalence of self-injury among individua…

1
Lived Experience: Brittany's Story of Self-Injury & Faith 1:06:46

3y ago1:06:46

1:06:46

In this first episode of Season 2, Brittany details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), how it started, and how she makes sense of self-injury and her faith in God. She explains two starkly different responses she received from church leaders and shares insights about how youth pastors in particular can provide supportive …

1
Self-Injury in Schools, with Dr. Nancy Heath 48:14

3y ago48:14

48:14

How can schools appropriately respond to students who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), whether the behavior occurs at home, on school grounds, or elsewhere? What protocols exist to support schools to better respond to students who self-injure? What role does liability play? In this episode, Dr. Nancy Heath of McGill University in Montreal,…

1
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Self-Harm, with Dr. Jenny Hughes 1:10:13

3+ y ago1:10:13

1:10:13

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been lauded as an evidence-based treatment for addressing suicidal and nonsuicidal thoughts and behaviors. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Hughes explains what DBT is, describes what "dialectical" means, and walks us through how each of the four modules of DBT can be used to address nonsuicidal self-injury and self…

1
Navigating Self-Injury During Routine Doctor Visits, with Brittany Tinsley 27:09

3+ y ago27:09

27:09

If you’ve never engaged in self-injury or self-harm, then you may have never considered the anxieties related to something as seemingly simple as a routine doctor visit. In this episode, Brittany Tinsley explains what questions she asks herself prior to attending routine doctor visits in order to ease her anxiety about medical providers seeing her …

1
Self-Injury in Japanese Manga, with Dr. Yukari Seko 38:17

3+ y ago38:17

38:17

Manga are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Not only do manga reveal and reinforce cultural values, beliefs, and norms, particularly in Japan, but they can also be used as a teaching tool and source of information. Manga and other comics can be used in medicine to learn and teach about illness and to build empathy. They also have the…

1
If Your Child is in Therapy for Self-Injury, with Dr. Jessica Garisch 45:18

3+ y ago45:18

45:18

Many parents understandably want their child to stop self-injuring immediately, but cessation of self-injury is often a process and recurrence of episodes of self-injury can be expected, even when in therapy. In this episode, Dr. Jessica Garisch provides insight for parents about expectations for therapy and helping their child stop engaging in sel…

1
Self-Injury Among LGBTQ Individuals, with Dr. Lindsay Taliaferro 46:07

3+ y ago46:07

46:07

Why is it important to talk about nonsuicidal self-injury among LGBTQ individuals? Just how prevalent is self-injury among those who identify as LGBTQ? And are there differences in rates of self-injury among sexual minority individuals (e.g., Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual) compared to those that are Transgender or Gender Diverse? In this episode, Dr. …

1
Managing Self-Injury in Inpatient Settings, with Dr. Jason Washburn 58:51

3+ y ago58:51

58:51

When is it appropriate for someone who engages in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) to be admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient program? And how realistic is it to expect no self-injury or self-harm to occur at all while in the hospital? How should hospital staff respond and intervene when someone engages in self-injury while on an inpatient unit…

1
Lived Experience of Self-Injury & Stigma: Lexy's Story 56:23

4y ago56:23

56:23

In this episode, Lexy details her experience of engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and the stigma she has encountered as a result of self-injury and self-harm. Lexy is the current Student Representative of the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) and a PhD candidate working in the area of self-injury stigma. She is curr…

1
Atypical Severe Self-Injury, with Dr. Barry Walsh 56:45

4y ago56:45

56:45

When we talk about nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in this podcast, we are typically referring to the most common forms of NSSI. But what about rarer, more significant forms of self-harm and self-harming behaviors that do not fit neatly within the typical definition of NSSI, like ingesting foreign objects to intentionally cause internal injury? And …

1
Monitoring Self-Injury in Real Time, with Dr. Glenn Kiekens 41:26

4y ago41:26

41:26

How do we assess self-injury differently than 20-30 years ago? Rather than asking someone to remember how they were thinking and feeling when they last self-injured days, weeks, and even months ago, advances in technology allow researchers and clinicians to monitor self-injury and self-harm in real time, as it occurs. In this episode, Dr. Glenn Kie…

1
Treatment for Self-Injurious Behaviors (T-SIB), with Dr. Peggy Andover 54:06

4y ago54:06

54:06

A lot of therapies address the context in which nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and self-harm may occur, but only a few treatments have been designed to address NSSI specifically. In this episode, we dive into one of these treatments: Treatment for Self-Injurious Behaviors (T-SIB). Dr. Peggy Andover, its lead developer, walks us through the 9 sessio…

1
Psychologists with Lived Experience of Self-Injury, with Dr. Sarah Victor 1:05:58

4y ago1:05:58

1:05:58

How many psychologists have lived experience of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)? What biases should mental health professionals with and without a history of self-injury keep in mind when treating or supervising someone who has lived experience? In this episode, Dr. Victor shares preliminary data that she has just begun analyzing regarding the preva…

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