For Researchers
Aims and Objectives
Overarching aim
To develop and evaluate a new therapeutic approach with individuals who repeatedly self-harm. To ensure the therapy is deliverable in the NHS without a major programme of training and implementation, we will modify existing therapies rather than develop an entirely new therapy. The intervention will target factors leading to repeated self-harm as well as associated psychological problems, aiming to improve quality of life and minimize damaging episodes of self-harm. The main modifications will focus on the assessment of positive as well as negative functions of repeated self-harm for the individual, coupled with therapeutic help in, for example, finding functionally-equivalent but less damaging ways of meeting personal needs.
Objectives
- Develop a clinical assessment that identifies both positive and negative functions of self-harm from the individual’s perspective, and that is acceptable to patients and usable by therapists trained in therapeutic approaches that are currently available in the NHS.
- Produce therapeutic materials that are based upon this work and develop a related training programme and intervention manual to allow this new self-harm-specific approach to be used as part of existing therapies.
- Identify and train therapists experienced in managing self-harm, who are willing to undertake training and deliver the new intervention in a research setting.
- Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability (to patients and therapists) of this modified therapy.
- Evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the new intervention in a Phase 3 RCT with an internal pilot and process evaluation.
- Investigate the processes of delivery, including mechanisms of change, for the modified therapy.
Co-Investigators
Professor Elspeth Guthrie - University of Leeds
Dr Cathy Brennan - University of Leeds
Professor Allan House – University of Leeds
Professor Louise Bryant - University of Leeds
Dr Dean McMillan - University of York
Professor Christopher Graham - University of Strathclyde Glasgow
Professor Amanda Farrin - University of Leeds
Ms Alexandra Wright-Hughes - University of Leeds
Professor Chris Bojke - University of Leeds
Miss Satveer Nijjar - Attention Seekers?
If you would like further information on the project please contact Professor Else Guthrie or Dr Cathy Brennan.