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

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

Author: Nicholas J. Westers Psy.D. ABPP Language: English Episodes: 71
Dr. Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist and professor, hosts The Psychology of Self-Injury: Exploring Self-Harm & Mental Health. This podcast moves beyond simple questions to explore the complex realities of self-injury, offering a space for nuanced conversation often missing from public discourse. Each episode is built on collaboration with the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury, ensuring the content is both credible and compassionate. You'll hear from leading researchers and clinicians who share the latest scientific understanding, but crucially, the series also centers voices with lived experience. These personal narratives provide essential context, helping to humanize the statistics and theories discussed. The dialogue tackles difficult topics, from the underlying psychological functions of self-harm to practical guidance on how to support someone who is struggling. It’s designed for anyone seeking a deeper, evidence-based comprehension-whether you're a mental health professional, an educator, a family member, or someone on a personal journey of understanding. By weaving together expert insight and personal story, this podcast fosters a more informed and empathetic perspective on a deeply misunderstood aspect of mental health.
Episodes
Self-Harm in Older Adults, with Dr. Lisa Van Hove [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:26
Lisa Van Hove, PhD, from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Brussels University) in Belgium reveals the prevalence and characteristics of self-injury and self-harm among older adults (ages 60+).
Lived Experience: Ben's Story of Self-Injury [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:12
Ben from California shares his story of lived experience of self-injury as a man, including how he views recovery and copes with significant scarring from self-harm wounds.
Lived Experience: Ellie's Story of Atypical Severe Self-Harm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:35
Ellie Wildbore from the United Kingdom and National Health Service (NHS) shares her story of lived experience of atypical severe self-injury, her research on self-harm, and her experience as one of the first Lived Experi…