ABSTRACT
In this chapter and in those in Part II, we will explore specific stages in the cycle of self-destructive behaviors and then look at various treatment modalities within the context of each stage. In addition to the many cognitive, artistic, behavioral, and somatic interventions that you can employ, consider psychoeducation an essential intervention too. As we’ve already discussed, to put the disparate puzzle pieces together, clients need to be educated about the impact of attachment wounds, affect dysregulation, dysfunctional family-of-origin dynamics, and the developmental challenges of adolescents. In addition, they must come to understand the ways in which self-destructive behaviors communicate, recapitulate, and attempt to restory prior traumatic experiences and pain narratives. We will explore those dynamics in this section.
