Work

Sharing, carrying, and tolerating the pain – A meta-synthesis of clinicians’ experiences from working with adolescents who self-harm

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study aims to review and synthesise qualitative studies of the subjective experiences of clinicians working with adolescents (11-18 years of age) who self-harm. METHOD: . SAGE Publications] seven analytical steps for meta-ethnography. RESULTS: The meta-synthesis resulted in three meta-themes that narrate a process of the emotional experiences of being in a professional relationship with adolescents who self-harm: (1) "Sharing the pain - The relationship as a vehicle to help, understand, and protect"; (2) "Carrying the pain - Self-harm evokes strong feelings"; and (3) "Tolerating the pain - To show a way out". CONCLUSION: Working with self-harm may represent a challenging balance for clinicians between exploring the pain in the therapeutic relationship, while also managing their own ability to tolerate the difficult emotions in this work.

Source: Psychotherapy Research

DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2025.2481604

Authors: Mathea Fretheim Walle, Maria Härter Langvik, Reidar Schei Jessen, Line Indrevoll Stänicke

Institutions: University of Oslo, Akershus University Hospital, Sykehuset i Vestfold, Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Universitetet i Oslo