A trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and compassionate training that helps professionals move beyond the behaviour of self-harm to understand the emotional needs it is meeting, while developing the confidence and practical skills to respond in ways that reduce shame, build trust and promote safety.

Course content

Participants will explore:

• Understanding the functions of self-harm and the distress beneath the behaviour
• Challenging myths, stigma and societal attitudes
• Risk factors, vulnerability and protective factors
• Self-harm through a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and culturally responsive lens
• The adolescent brain, emotional regulation and the Window of Tolerance
• The relationship between self-harm and suicide
• Recognising signs of distress and hidden presentations of self-harm
• Compassionate conversations and evidence-informed intervention strategies
• Personalised coping strategies, safety planning and collaborative support
• Working with families whilst maintaining professional wellbeing.

Course structure

Participants will learn through:

• Interactive discussions and facilitated group learning
• Reflection on personal attitudes, beliefs and professional practice
• Realistic case studies and practical scenarios
• Skills demonstrations and guided conversation models
• Role play and supported practice in a psychologically safe environment
• Collaborative problem-solving and peer learning
• Evidence-informed teaching, drawing on current research and best practice
• Practical tools and resources that can be applied immediately in the workplace.

Following the course

Participants will have:

• Understand why children and young people self-harm and what the behaviour may be communicating
• Recognise self-harm in its many forms, including presentations that are often overlooked
• Respond confidently with compassion, curiosity and without judgement
• Hold supportive conversations that reduce shame and encourage help-seeking
• Use a practical framework to assess needs, explore safer coping strategies and promote recovery
• Understand when and how to escalate concerns relating to suicide and safeguarding
• Feel more confident supporting young people, working with families and sustaining their own wellbeing in emotionally demanding roles.

This highly interactive course combines evidence-informed teaching with reflective discussion, case studies, practical demonstrations, skills practice and collaborative learning. Participants are encouraged to explore real-world scenarios, develop confidence through guided conversations and leave with practical tools and strategies that can be immediately applied in their professional roles.

Looking for a shorter introductory course? Take a look at our 1 hour “Introduction to Self-Harm” course.

Further information, pricing & availability

Please contact us to discuss how our training can best help you and to find out more about this and other courses.