Treating Self-Destructive Behaviors in Trauma Survivors: A Clinician's Guide

by Lisa Ferentz

This is a book for clinicians who specialize in helping trauma survivors and, through the course of treatment, find themselves unexpectedly confronted with client disclosures of self-destructive behaviors, including self-mutilation and other manifestations of deliberately "hurting the body" such as bingeing, purging, starving, substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. Arguing that standard safety contracts are not effective, the book introduces viable treatment alternatives, assessment tools, and new ways of understanding self-destructive behavior using a strengths-based approach that distinguishes between the "experimental" Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) that some teenagers occasionally engage in, and the self-destructive behaviors that are repetitive and chronic. It also explores a cycle of behavior and uses case studies to show clinicians how to personalize the cycle with clients and form a template for treatment. In its final sections the book focuses on counter-transferential responses and the different ways in which therapists can work with self-destructive behaviors and avoid vicarious traumatization by adopting tools and strategies for self-care.

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book for clinicians! If you're a new clinician or looking for a better approach to working with self-destructive behaviors, this book and its companion workbook are definitely worth it. Great examples that are relatable to the adolescent population that I work with.

The cycle of self-destruction and the subsequent breakdown of how to work with each was incredibly helpful. My clients have benefited so much from just working through this and helping them to realize there is more than just the act that is self-destructive and more opportunities to intervene and try something different. A wonderful, easy read that will enhance your clinical practice.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

As therapists, as physicians, as practicing health care providers of all kinds -- this book offers a different look at clients/patients we thought we knew. It's well-written -- with compassion, clearly from years of clinical experience, and the ideas are built on excellent research in the areas it addresses. I recommend the book because it pulls together all of those ideas, findings, and clinical experiences and provides a tool to look for something that may not be so easy to see. What was it Proust said? The book gave me new eyes.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa is a phenomenal clinician and teacher. She writes with sincere empathy for clients and for clinicians who are tapping into her expertise. She encourages boundaries, validates emotional responses, and provides incredible wisdom. This book is a MUST READ for anyone who works with self-destructive behaviors and/or trauma.

I'm currently taking her course in trauma treatment and after four classes, I know I've gained so much practical and applicable knowledge. I highly recommend to anyone who is working clinically with trauma.

[Eve Del · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book for clinicians and offers treatment strategies that can be used in both short term and long term treatment settings. Well written and I have already incorporated the strategies set forth into my work with trauma survivors in the PHP setting.

[Olwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent text on counselling treatment of trauma survivors with a person-centered perspective. There's an accompanying workbook that I'm also going to access.

[Amirah Iqbal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book - has been one of the go to books when working with clients presenting with difficult emotions / and self harming behaviours

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a look at self-destructive behaviors in plain language that focuses on depathologizing the coping strategies many trauma survivors have found necessary for survival. Although the target audience are clinicians, survivors can benefit from Ferentz's unique approach to the topic which comes from a place of hope and understanding rather than fear, exhaustion, and punitive practices often tied into a pretty borderline label bow. Ferentz understands that people who self-injure (whether via cutting, eating disorders, substance abuse, or a myriad of other methods) often get labeled as manipulative yet when in fact, "self-destructive acts represent the only language trauma survivors know how to speak." Ferentz focuses on identifying points of intervention, offering alternative coping behaviors, and helping therapists recognizing their own biases to certain diagnostic labels.

[Karly Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and enlightening read. I recommend this book for any trauma-informed therapist. I am taking away very helpful and practical tools and exercises to implement immediately in my clinical practice. Buying the workbook alongside this book is also very helpful!!!

[Louisa]

i appreciate texts like this that are less self conscious in how they draw upon different traditions, vocabularies and models to build their own understanding of how things work, it’s often more intuitive and less tiresome to read…

[Daniel McNulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommend- very helpful guide for working with clients.