Finding new ways to cope: How CBT can help

This resource provides psychoeducation about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and how it can support young people who use self-harm as a coping strategy. It outlines what CBT is, highlights key facts about how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact, and clarifies what CBT will and will not do in therapy.

The worksheet is designed to help therapists explain the role of CBT, reduce misconceptions, and open discussion around safer, more adaptive coping strategies.

References & Further Reading

  • Slee, N., Garnefski, N., van der Leeden, R., Arensman, E., & Spinhoven, P. (2018). Cognitive‐behavioural intervention for self‐harm: Randomised controlled trial. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 192(3), 202–211. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.037564
  • Hawton, K., Witt, K. G., Taylor Salisbury, T. L., Arensman, E., Gunnell, D., Townsend, E., van Heeringen, K., & Hazell, P. (2015). Interventions for self‐harm in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(12), CD012013. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012013
  • Labelle, R., Pouliot, L., & Janelle, A. (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of cognitive behavioural treatments for suicidal and self-harm behaviours in adolescents. Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne, 56(4), 368–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0039159
  • Ougrin, D., Tranah, T., Leigh, E., Taylor, L., & Asarnow, J. R. (2012). Practitioner review: Self-harm in adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 53(4), 337–350. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02525.x
  • Wright, B., Hooke, N., Neupert, S., Nyein, C., & Ker, S. (2013). Young people who cut themselves: Can understanding the reasons guide the treatment? Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 19(6), 446–456. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.112.011049
  • Burns, J., Dudley, M., Hazell, P., & Patton, G. (2005). Clinical management of deliberate self-harm in young people: The need for evidence-based approaches to reduce repetition. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 39(3), 121–128. https://doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2005.01511.x
  • Oldershaw, A., Simic, M., Grima, E., Jollant, F., Richards, C., Taylor, L., & Schmidt, U. (2012). The effect of cognitive behavior therapy on decision making in adolescents who self-harm: A pilot study. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 42(3), 255–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1943-278X.2012.0087.x
  • Kabat, K., & Mazelis, R. (2002). Cutting down: A CBT workbook for treating young people who self-harm. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.