Brief intervention for deliberate self harm: an exploratory study

Objective: To develop and explore the effectiveness of a 4-session intervention that combines elementsof acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with elements of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) to preventdeliberate self harm (DSH) in adults. Methods: An experimental pilot study with follow-up assessments at, 4-months, and 6-months after baseline was conducted using a random sample of 16 participants. Participants wereconsecutively assessed at the baseline and were assigned to a control group receiving treatment as usual (TAU)or an intervention group (ACT+SFBT+TAU) receiving the intervention in addition to treatment as usual.Results: On the 4- and the 6-month follow-up both groups evidenced significant changes over time in theincidence of DSH. The intervention group further evidenced significant changes over time in depression andemotional dysregulation. Conclusion: The 4-session student-delivered intervention may have positive effects onmechanisms associated with reduction of DSH, and produce additional positive effects as compared to treatmentas usual. Practice implications: It is worthwhile in the future to study this type of intervention on larger scale.