hardadolescentself-harmsafety planningDBTchain analysisfamily interventionLGBTQ
A 16-year-old boy has been receiving outpatient treatment for non-suicidal self-injury involving cutting on his thighs, which he has been engaging in for the past six months. He was started on dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents two weeks ago and has attended two individual sessions and one family skills group. His parents are divorced, and he alternates between two households weekly. During today's session, he reports an increase in self-injury frequency this past week, occurring daily rather than his previous pattern of two to three times per week, following a conflict with his father about his sexual orientation. He describes intense shame and emotional pain but continues to deny suicidal ideation. He says the cutting helps him feel something other than numbness. His existing safety plan was developed during his initial assessment. The PMHNP needs to determine the most appropriate intervention.