Adolescent Self-Injury 2.0

About This Course

According to current research, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents is increasing, with warning signs becoming more subtle and often masked by the digital landscape of social media and online interactions. Unlike previous decades, when signs of emotional distress were more overt, today’s struggles are frequently hidden, making them harder to recognize and respond to. This course equips mental health professionals, medical personnel, and ministry leaders to identify underlying drivers of NSSI and implement effective, evidence-informed interventions. Topics include adolescent neurodevelopment, attachment-based trauma, emotional dysregulation, and sociocultural risk factors such as identity confusion, isolation, and perfectionism. Participants will gain tools to distinguish NSSI from suicidality, assess risk in complex presentations, and use practical interventions to build emotional safety and self-regulation skills. A faith-integrated framework introduces a theology of suffering and care, equipping providers to support adolescents and families with both clinical insight and spiritual sensitivity for willing Christian clients. 

Learning Objectives

Participants will…  

1. Analyze emerging cultural and emotional trends contributing to non-suicidal self-injury and identify subtle warning signs often missed by caregivers and professionals.
2. Evaluate the theological concept of suffering and its role in developing a compassionate, faith-integrated model of care.
3. Apply practical tools and evidence-informed strategies to support adolescents and equip families, churches, and clinical teams with appropriate interventions for their context.

Lesson Titles

ASIJ 101: Understanding Adolescent Self-Injury 
Mark Mayfield, Ph.D.  

This session introduces the foundational concepts of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), including how it differs from suicidal behavior. Dr. Mayfield explores adolescent brain development, emotional regulation, and how factors like loneliness, anxiety, and performance pressure contribute to self-injury. Participants will gain a developmental framework and theological perspective for willing Christian clients to help them better understand why adolescents turn to self-harm as a way of managing internal distress. 

ASIJ 102: Behavioral and Physical Indicators of Adolescent Self-Injury 
Mark Mayfield, Ph.D. 

This session focuses on recognizing the warning signs of adolescent self-injury. Participants will learn to identify physical indicators, emotional shifts, and behavioral patterns that may signal self-harming behavior. Dr. Mayfield outlines the differences between overt and subtle forms of self-injury and discusses common areas of the body affected. The lesson emphasizes the importance of creating emotionally safe environments where students feel seen, supported, and understood. 

ASIJ 103: Integrative Interventions and Care for Christian Clients 
Mark Mayfield, Ph.D. 

This session presents a faith-informed, clinically grounded approach to caring for adolescents who engage in self-injury. Dr. Mayfield discusses how to create safe relational spaces, guide emotional expression, and integrate a theology of suffering into the healing process for willing Christian clients. Participants will explore strategies for intervention that are both compassionate and practical, offering support that considers the adolescent’s emotional, spiritual, and family context. 

Course Presenter

Mark Mayfield, Ph.D.

Continuing Education Approval Statements

American Association of Christian Counselors has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7543. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) is an Approved Continuing Education CE provider by the International Board of Christian Care (IBCC). American Association of Christian Counselors is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due for good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements.  

Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required continuing education hours. For more information Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit: https://lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/