Short therapy to reduce self-injury and help Veterans function better
Official title: A Brief Intervention to Reduce Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and Improve Functioning in Veterans
Funded at Durham VA Medical Center · NIH-11222674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nine-session, Veteran-adapted therapy uses real-time phone-based tracking to help people stop non-suicidal self-injury and improve daily functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Durham VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2RX004803-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11222674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with a history of non-suicidal self-injury who can attend brief therapy sessions and use a smartphone for real-time tracking are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without a history of NSSI, those currently at imminent risk of suicide who need higher-intensity care, or those unable/unwilling to use smartphone tracking may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This project adapts T-SIB, a nine-session individualized treatment, specifically for Veterans and adds ecological momentary assessment (EMA) via smartphone to track urges and behaviors as they happen. You would work with a therapist to identify triggers, track what leads to self-injury in daily life, and learn alternative behaviors that support social and work functioning. The EMA data will be used to tailor treatment and measure changes in self-injury and functioning over time. Eligible Veterans may be invited to attend therapy sessions and complete follow-ups while using the phone-based tracking tool.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help Veterans reduce self-injury, improve psychosocial functioning, and lower risk factors linked to future suicide attempts.
How similar studies have gone: T-SIB has shown promise in prior work, but treatments for NSSI are limited and combining T-SIB with real-time EMA is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Durham VA Medical Center
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halverson, Tate F — Durham VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Halverson, Tate F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Creating a digital tool to help teenagers who self-injure
This study is creating a helpful online tool for teens aged 14 to 17 who hurt themselves in non-suicidal ways, making it easier for them to get support and learn coping strategies without feeling judged.
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A brief intervention to help veterans reduce self-injury and improve their lives
This study is designed to help veterans who hurt themselves without wanting to end their lives by adapting a special treatment to better understand and support them, aiming to replace harmful behaviors with healthier ways to cope and feel better overall.
-
Creating a digital tool to help teenagers who self-injure
This study is creating a helpful online tool for teens aged 14 to 17 who hurt themselves in non-suicidal ways, making it easier for them to find support and learn coping strategies without feeling judged.
-
Digital intervention for young adults who self-injure without suicidal intent
This study is creating a friendly online tool to help young adults who struggle with self-injury, offering support and skills to manage their feelings and behaviors, especially for those who might not want to go to traditional therapy.
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Blended ERITA for Teens Who Self-Injure
A blended, youth-focused therapy test combines in-person sessions with digital tools to help teens who have recently self-injured see if this approach improves emotion regulation and daily functioning.
-
Internet-delivered Emotion Regulation Therapy for Adolescents with NSSI
This trial tests whether a flexible, internet-based therapy for teens who self-injure can be more effective than standard online treatment for reducing nonsuicidal self-injury symptoms.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.