How can we stop our children from hurting themselves? Stages of change, motivational interviewing, and exposure therapy applications for non-suicidal self-injury in children and adolescents.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in children and adolescents is a major public health problem. Fortunately, we can apply functional analysis, in conjunction with empirically validated NSSI assessment measurements, to precisely evaluate the biopsychosocial risk factors and reinforcements that contextualize NSSI. Empirically validated behavioral treatment for NSSI is also available. However, motivating youth to seek help and participate in treatment for NSSI remains problematic. This paper suggests application of Prochuska and DiClemente’s (1982) Transtheoretical Model of Change, in conjunction with motivational interviewing and exposure-with-response-prevention (ER/P) therapy, to motivate youth to seek treatment, and to remediate NSSI risk factors and behaviors.