Client Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior: Considerations for Clinical Supervisors

Supervisees who encounter clients who engage in self-injurious behaviors may have strong personal reactions and struggle with how to proceed so as to minimize client risk and best help the client. Thoughtful, well-informed clinical supervision is of paramount importance when supervisees are charged with providing direct service to clients who self-injure. The purpose of this article is to address pertinent supervision considerations that may emerge when clinical supervisors supervise trainees who are counseling clients who engage in non-suicidal self-injury.