Self-Injury, Suicidality, and the Path Back to Connection: Reaching Kids in Deep Pain through Creative Interventions
- Speaker:
- Dana Wyss, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC, RPT™
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 30 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Aug 05, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150903
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
When survival responses dominate, words alone often aren’t accessible. This session explores how creative, body‑based approaches can help restore regulation and connection for youth experiencing profound distress.
- A nervous‑system–informed lens for understanding self‑injury and suicidality as signals of overwhelm, not pathology
- Connection‑first, regulation‑focused responses that reduce fear and open pathways to safety
- Strategies for staying grounded and present amid intense emotions and high‑risk moments
- Practical clinician wellness practices that support regulation, capacity, and long‑term resilience
Credit
Speaker
Dana Wyss, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC, RPT™ Related seminars and products
Star View Adolescent Center
Dana Wyss, PhD, LMFT, ATR-BC, RPT™, is a board-certified art therapist, a registered play therapist, a marriage and family therapist, holds a doctorate in expressive therapies, and is the coauthor of The Invisible String Workbook. Her doctorate in expressive therapies has led her to create programs integrating art, music, poetry, dance, and animal assisted therapy in the healing process for clients and self-care of staff. For the last 25 years, Dr. Wyss has worked in psychiatric hospitals, group homes, and nonpublic school settings to manage crisis, conduct training, coach staff, and support children and families. Dr. Wyss is a corporate clinical training specialist and clinical/art therapy supervisor at Stars Behavioral Health Group, a company specializing in the treatment of complex developmental trauma. She also owns a small private practice where she specializes in the use of art and play for all ages. Dr. Wyss is a national trainer and consultant with the Center for Trauma Training and national trainer to raise awareness of commercial sexual exploitation of children. She uses her creativity for her own healing as well as to support others.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dana Wyss has employment relationships with Stars Behavioral Health Group, Center for Trauma Training, and Loyola Marymount University. She receives royalties as a published author. She is an exam writer at ATCB and reviewer for both ATCB and Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education and Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Dana Wyss receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dana Wyss is a member of American Art Therapy Association and Association for Play Therapy.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
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Objectives
- Identify several types of self-injury and forms of suicidal ideation or behavior as they present across different developmental stages and clinical contexts.
- List three or more clinically appropriate replacement behaviors or coping strategies that can support individuals who engage in self-injurious behaviors or experience suicidal thoughts.
- Develop a personal wellness and resilience plan that addresses the emotional and professional impact of working with clients who exhibit self-injurious behaviors or suicidality.
Outline
Self-Injury and Suicidality
- Common types of self-injury
- Forms of suicidality (passive/active)
- Developmental considerations
- Warning signs and risk factors specific to self-injury vs. suicidality .
Supportive Alternatives & Replacement Strategies
- Purpose of replacement behaviors
- Three or more alternatives to self-injury
- Strategies supportive for suicidality
- Integrating alternatives into safety planning
Verbal & Nonverbal Support
- Three helpful things to say/do
- Three nonverbal support techniques
- Maintaining boundaries and safety
Provider Wellness
- Impact of working with self-injury/suicidality
- Personal wellness and resilience plan
Application
- Brief case examples will be provided
Risks and Limitations
Target Audience
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Counselors
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physicians
- Speech-Language Pathologists
- School Administrators
Reviews
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