Responding to Self-Injurious Behavior (IN: Emergencies in Mental Health Practice: Evaluation and Management, edited by P M Kleespies)

In this chapter, the authors review some of the psychological literature on self-injury, & then provide a theoretical framework for understanding & addressing self-injury in emergency settings. The impact of this behaviour on the treatment provider is addressed through a brief discussion of countertransference & vicarious traumatization. Some resources for helping professionals & their clients are suggested. (51 refs.)