Harming to Healing: Exploring Harm Reduction in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Treatment

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is a maladaptive behavior that impacts individuals from all backgrounds, yet existing interventions often neglect harm reduction tactics that may enhance treatment outcomes. This study presents a quasi-experimental design to assess the effectiveness of harm reduction education when combined with a dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) based and motivational interviewing (MI) based counseling for young women (ages 18-26) who meet the criteria for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Disorder (NSSID). Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving only DBT/MI based therapy or an experimental group receiving both the DBT/MI based therapy and harm reduction education, which will include information on wound and tool cleanliness as well as high-risk areas to avoid. Using an ANCOVA with covariates, I will assess the effects of the education on two key outcomes: the frequency and intensity of NSSI sessions, as well as the influence of therapist-client relationships on treatment effectiveness. I hypothesize that participants receiving harm reduction education will experience significant reductions in both frequency and intensity of NSSI compared to the control group, with variability in outcomes moderated by individual therapist factors. This research aims to further NSSI treatment methods by integrating harm reduction, providing a framework that can enhance the safety and recovery experiences of individuals struggling with self-injury. By concentrating on accessible, client focused strategies, this work addresses the urgent need for evidence-based approaches to NSSI treatment that prioritize both client autonomy and clinician support.