Growing interest has been paid to the concept of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) recovery. In research, and sometimes clinical practice, the focus has been on NSSI cessation, with recovery operationalised with reference to the time since someone last self-injured. Yet, perspectives from people with lived experience of NSSI indicate that recovery is much more complex. Drawing on recent empirical work, and the voices of people with lived experience of NSSI, we outline a new framework for conceptualizing NSSI recovery. We argue that recovery is nonlinear and multifaceted, comprising: Realistic Expectations and Setbacks; Normalizing Thoughts and Urges; Fostering Self-efficacy; Identifying Strengths; Finding Alternatives; Addressing Underlying Adversities; Addressing and Accepting Scarring; Navigating Disclosures; and Self-acceptance. In presenting research and clinical implications of this new framework, we propose that this framing offers a more complete understanding of NSSI recovery-one conducive to optimizing wellbeing and promoting resilience among individuals with lived experience.
Keywords: NSSI; person-centered; recovery; self-harm; self-injury.
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