A Psychosocial Understanding of Self-injury and Trauma: Wounds and their Meanings

A Psychosocial Understanding of Self Injury and Trauma is a comprehensive guide to supporting people who self-injure, offering a clear and practical understanding of the issue from a psychosocial perspective. The book is endorsed by experts in the field and is a valuable resource for students and practitioners in the helping professions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2022
Publisher: Open University Press

A Psychosocial Understanding of Self Injury and Trauma is a comprehensive and practical guide that draws on research, theory, and survivor wisdom to support individuals who engage in self-injury. Authored by Helen Spandler, Professor of Mental Health at UCLan UK, and Editor of Asylum: the radical mental health magazine, this book offers a clear and accessible understanding of self-injury.

The book is highly regarded by experts in the field. Andrew Reeves, Professor in Counselling Professions and Mental Health at The University of Chester, UK, praises it as "authoritative and engaging in equal measure." Fiona Stirling, Lecturer in Counselling at Abertay University, UK, commends Long for making excellent use of her interdisciplinary knowledge to invite readers to engage with critical thought around self-injury. Liz Frost, Co-editor of Journal of Psychosocial Studies and Associate Professor of Social Work at UWE, Bristol, UK, emphasizes the book's important contribution to understanding how personal wounds may come to be "written on the body."

This book is a valuable resource for students and practitioners in the helping professions who seek to develop a holistic understanding of self-injury. Long employs an interdisciplinary approach to debunk common myths and stereotypes associated with self-injury, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the individuals behind the symptoms. The book also explores the impact of interpersonal, societal, and intergenerational trauma on self-injury, highlighting the practical implications for research, policy, and practice.

While primarily aimed at Counselling and Psychotherapy students, Long considers the challenging processes of help-seeking more broadly, offering useful strategies for responding to self-injury disclosures for practitioners in a range of roles where counselling skills are used. The book provides a wealth of information and insights, making it an essential tool for anyone working with individuals who self-injure.

In conclusion, A Psychosocial Understanding of Self Injury and Trauma is a groundbreaking book that offers a comprehensive and practical guide to supporting individuals who self-injure. Authored by a leading expert in the field, this book is highly regarded by experts and practitioners alike. Its interdisciplinary approach, comprehensive coverage, and practical strategies make it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to better understand and respond to self-injury.

Weight: 254g
Dimension: 153 x 304 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780335249572