Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Very readable and highly informative. I read this book after my daughter had undergone extensive treatment, and I strongly recommend it to all parents, especially those who are beginning the journey through treatment with their child and trying to understand self-harming behavior. What I appreciated most about the book were the explanations of the root causes of self-injury and the guidance on how to interact with your child in ways that support recovery."--Parent, Boston, Massachusetts
"Dr. Hollander's book is a lifeline to parents, offering reassurance and wisdom supported by experience. He seems to really understand how frightening it is to be the parent of a teen who cuts. This book provides relief, hope, and guidelines to follow. I am truly grateful for this book." --Parent, New York City
"Dr. Hollander manages to take a very complex problem and describe it in a language accessible to teens, parents, and those working with them. Most importantly, he does this without sacrificing what we know scientifically about teen cutting. He is one of the top trainers in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) worldwide, and it shows in this book. His skills as a therapist and his experience applying DBT with teens shine through. DBT is an effective treatment, and this book makes many of the fundamentals of the treatment accessible to the public. It is long overdue."--Marsha M. Linehan, PhD, ABPP, Professor and Director, Behavioral Research and Therapy Clinics, Department of Psychology, University of Washington
"This is an extremely thoughtful, wise, and empathic guide for the parents of teens caught up in the painful and complex web of self-injury. Both down to earth and practical, the book draws on substantial clinical experience and the latest scientific data. Dr. Hollander takes the mystery out of this confusing but all-too-prevalent behavior, debunks the many myths surrounding it, and deftly delineates state-of-the-art treatment principles. Dr. Hollander has done us all a great service with this book."--William S. Pollack, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; author of Real Boys
"A truly remarkable book. Dr. Hollander offers a wealth of information about cutting, reveals the communication mistakes that even well-intentioned parents make, and illustrates specific ways of talking with kids to help them stop hurting themselves. Empathic, easy to read, and jargon free, this book is a major resource for parents and professionals alike. I recommend it highly."--Robert Brooks, PhD, coauthor of Raising Resilient Children
Review
"A reassuring, well-written resource for parents seeking answers, information, and help for a child who self-injures through cutting. While parents of teens who cut is the intended audience, teachers, health-care practitioners, and parents of teens in general may also benefit from the information and sound advice Hollander presents....Hollander offers practical advice to help parents better understand and communicate more effectively with their child. He clearly explains what is known about cutting behavior, addresses its causes, and identifies effective treatment options."--Library Journal
Review
"This book is a good example of knowledge transfer from a clinical psychologist to parents of self-cutting and self-harming teens....Common myths are dispelled through case vignettes elucidating current evidence-based facts such as the difference between self-cutting and suicidal behaviors. The details of the case vignettes testify not only to the breadth of the author's clinical experience but also to his empathic understanding of the parent's predicament....Michael Hollander's book fulfills several important goals. It explains the difficult psychological constructs relevant to parents' understanding of the emotional dilemma of self-harming teenagers in a simple rather than simplistic way, and it guides parents with respect to choice of the best therapies and methods of cooperation with therapists. The book is, in fact, a therapeutic invention in itself, for it reduces the heavy burden of guilt and the fears of parents of self-harming teenagers. The appendix includes evidence for the effectiveness of DBT in adolescents, a list of internet sites and a list of clinical programs in the United States. This book is recommended for parents, teachers, and child and youth workers."--Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Review
"The book was written primarily for parents but is an equally valuable resource for mental health professionals."--Metapsychology Online Reviews
Synopsis
"A truly remarkable book. Dr. Hollander offers a wealth of information about cutting, reveals the communication mistakes that even well-intentioned parents make, and illustrates specific ways of talking with kids to help them stop hurting themselves."--Robert Brooks, Ph.D., coauthor of "Raising Resilient Children."
Synopsis
Discovering that their teen “cuts” is absolutely terrifying for parents. Without a clear understanding of what motivates cutting, many worry their teen may be contemplating suicide. Michael R. Hollander, a leading authority on teen self-injury, gives parents the straight facts about this alarming behavior--and explains what they can do to make it stop. Drawing on years of clinical practice and the latest research, Dr. Hollander shows how overwhelming emotions lead some teens to hurt themselves, and how various treatments--chief among them dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)--can provide effective routes to wellness. Parents learn what to look for in a therapist, how to talk to their teen about cutting without making it worse, and practical strategies for helping their teen cope with extreme emotions in a healthier way. Helping Teens Who Cut also provides much-needed suggestions for reducing stress and improving family communication and problem solving.
Synopsis
Discovering that your teen cuts” is absolutely terrifying; before you understand what really motivates cutting, you may worry your child is contemplating suicide. What can you do to help when every attempt to address the behavior seems to push him or her further away? In this compassionate, straightforward book, Dr. Michael Hollander, a leading authority on self-injury, spells out the facts about cutting--and what to do to make it stop. Youll learn how overwhelming emotions lead some teens to hurt themselves, and how proven treatments--chief among them dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)--can help your child become well again.
Helping Teens Who Cut demonstrates how to talk to your teen about cutting without making it worse, and explains exactly what to look for in a therapist or treatment program. Drawing on decades of clinical experience as well as the latest research, Dr. Hollander provides concrete ways to help your son or daughter cope with extreme emotions without resorting to self-injury. Youll also learn practical communication and problem-solving skills that can reduce family stress, making it easier to care for yourself and your teen during the recovery process.
Winner--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award
Synopsis
Discovering that your teen “cuts” is absolutely terrifying. Is your teen contemplating suicide? How can you talk to him or her about this frightening problem without making it worse or driving a wedge between you? Dr. Michael Hollander is a leading authority on self-injury and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). In this compassionate, straightforward book, Dr. Hollander spells out the facts about cutting--and what to do to make it stop. Vivid stories illustrate how out-of-control emotions lead some teens to hurt themselves, and how proven treatments such as DBT can help. You'll learn concrete strategies for parenting your emotionally vulnerable teen, building his or her skills for coping and problem solving, dealing with crises, and finding an effective therapist or treatment program.
Winner--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award
About the Author
Michael Hollander, PhD, a recognized expert in the treatment of self-injury, has worked with adolescents and their families for more than 30 years. He helped to found the 3East DBT program at McLean Hospital, in Belmont, Massachusetts, where he is currently Director of Training and Consultations. Dr. Hollander also serves on the psychiatry faculties of Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction: Kids Who Deliberately Hurt Themselves
I. Understanding Self-Injury
1. Fact versus Fiction: Bringing Self-Injury into the Light
2. What Sets the Stage for Self-Injury?
3. How Does Hurting Themselves Make Some Kids Feel Better?
4. DBT: The Right Therapy for Your Teen
II. Helping Your Teen in Treatment and at Home
5. Making the Most of DBT
6. Resetting the Stage: How to Help Your Teen Restore Emotion to Its Proper Place
7. Writing a Better Script: New Ways to Discourage Self-Injury
8. Taking Care of Yourself to Take Care of Your Teen
9. How to Speak with Siblings, Friends, and the School about Your Child's Troubles
Appendix A. Effectiveness of Adolescent Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program
Appendix B. Intensive Treatment Programs
Resources