About this event

The Psychodynamics of Self-Harm - Dr Rachel Gibbons and Hannah Cadogan 

Self-harm is often seen as irrational, manipulative, or incomprehensible—yet it is one of the most common presentations in clinical services. In this seminar, Dr Rachel Gibbons explores self-harm as a meaningful and powerful unconscious communication. Rooted in early trauma, disrupted attachment, and failures of containment, self-harm emerges when psychic pain cannot be symbolised or held and is instead acted out on the body.

This seminar draws on psychoanalytic, attachment and neurobiological theory to explore core motivations for self-harm: the need to regulate overwhelming affect; to transform dissociated trauma into concrete pain; to punish and soothe the self simultaneously; and to manage proximity, abandonment and rage. It also addresses the profound transference and countertransference responses that self-harm evokes in clinicians and teams—ranging from idealisation, dread, hatred, guilt and withdrawal. Without reflection, services can become caught in enactments that escalate risk and repeat the very ruptures that caused the harm.

Dr Rachel Gibbons is Vice Chair of the Psychotherapy Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and a leading voice on the emotional impact of suicide and homicide in clinical practice. She chaired the RCPsych Working Group on the Effect of Suicide and Homicide for six years and previously led the College’s Patient Safety Group. A psychoanalyst, group analyst, and consultant psychiatrist, she has worked in the NHS for over 20 years, developed national guidance on staff support, and received the RCPsych President’s Medal in 2024.

This lecture will be recorded and available for 7 days after the lecture takes place.

© Image: Matthew Kolakowski, 'Storm Inside' 2010

REFUND POLICY: Tickets are fully refundable until 14 days before the lecture, after which time no refunds will be issued.

Concession tickets are available, for students, BPAS candidates and NHS trainees and nurses. Please email [email protected] if you are unsure if you qualify for a concession ticket.

Views and opinions expressed by speakers are their own and do not represent the views or opinions of the Institute, event organisers or other speakers. We expect delegates to respect the confidentiality of clinical material discussed in our events. The content must not be recorded, conveyed or disseminated in any format and participants must not share access to the event with non-registered participants.

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