Intended for healthcare professionals
RCNi interactive learning

CPD modules

Compassionate care for people who self-harm principles, tools and techniques

Author: Gillian Rayner, Karen Wright

Duration: 2 hours Last updated: 2025 Quality Assurance: Peer-reviewed Level: Students, Qualified nurses Language: English

Course description

This module offers insights into compassionate care for people who self-harm and advice on how to provide it. It describes tools and techniques for enhancing compassion in the care of people who self-harm including formulation, urge surfing, compassionate kit bags and compassionate wound care.

Don't forget that you do not have to complete our two-hour learning modules all in one go. Tailor your learning to fit into your busy schedule by undertaking one or two sections at a time. You can stop and save your learning at any point and pick up where you left off when you return.


Learning aims and intended outcomes

After completing the module and time out activities, you should be able to:

  • Summarise the self-harm quality statements published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
  • List the elements of the psychosocial assessment mental health professionals should conduct with patients after an episode of self-harm.
  • Discuss the concept of compassion as a continuous flow.
  • Describe the potential benefits of using interventions informed by compassion-focused therapy to support people who self-harm.
  • Explain the urge surfing technique and the concept of a compassionate kit bag.

Syllabus

  • Home
  • Pre-test
  • Learning module
  • References
  • Post-test

Authors

GR
Gillian Rayner
Reader/associate professor in counselling and psychotherapy, community health and midwifery, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England.
KW
Karen Wright
Professor in nursing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England.

Disclaimer

Please note that information provided by RCNi Learning is not sufficient to ensure competence in the skill. Assessment of competence should take place in line with local practice. Practice should always align with local protocols and procedures, latest guidelines and any regulatory code. All modules should currently be viewed together with available national and local Covid-19 guidelines. For advice, go to www.rcn.org.uk/covid-19

Syllabus

  • Home
  • Pre-test
  • Learning module
  • References
  • Post-test

Why use RCNi Learning

Document your learning

Save certificates to your RCNi Revalidation Portfolio to use for CPD and revalidation

Engaging learning

Interactive quizzes, imagery and videos make learning an enjoyable experience

RCNi quality assurance

Double-blind peer-reviewed and updated in-line with changing practice

Learn on demand

Bitesize learning or an in-depth course that can be paused and resumed at any time.

RCNi plus logo

RCNi Learning is available to individuals with an RCNi Plus subscription

Save over 50% on your first 3 months and gain access to:

Certificate

Learning Modules

Earn CPD with RCNi Learning, giving you access to over 170 CPD modules

RCNi Journals

Unlimited access to all 10 RCNi journals and their archives

RCNi Interative learning

Revalidation Portfolio

Quick, easy access to build, track and save evidance for revalidation

RCNi interactive learning

CPD Quizzes

Over 400 CPD Quizzes taken from evidence-based and peer-reviewed clinical articles

Module details

RCNi Plus Dashboard

Customise your dashboard with topics most relevant to you

For organisations

RCNi provides learning resources to organisations who want to support their staff in delivering high quality, person-centred care by offering CPD and a revalidation portfolio

RCNi quality assurance

All modules undergo a double-blind peer-review process and are updated in-line with changing practice and current guidelines

Download RCNi Learning from the app store today

RCNi CPD logo

Use RCNi Learning to earn CPD hours for revalidation and stay up-to-date with the latest clinical guidance