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Magazine Interviews(3)

Dallas Child Magazine April 2013--story on self-injury in elementary age kids

http://www.dfwchild.com/showarticle.asp?artid=746 Children on the Edge  Behavior: Self-injury in Children

Fort Worth Child Magazine April 2013

http://www.dfwchild.com/Fort-Worth/showarticle.asp?artid=1258

GL--Girls Life (national magazine for tweens and teens): Interviewed by Laura Green

Spring 2010 -- Health To You for Hospital Corporation of America: article Spring 2010 - Article focuses on teen stress, risk factors, and what parents can do to help.

02/2010 - Chattanooga Parenting: Opening the door: The whens, wheres, and hows of talking to your teen by Janis Hashe.  "Parents forget what it is like to be a teenager," says Lori Vann, a licensed professional counselor.  Every little thing is just so huge.  And tone of voice matters.  Speaking to a teen is not like speaking to a second grader."

"Whatever the subject, keep guilt and drama out of the conversation, advises Lori Vann.  Anger, and comments like, 'How could you do this to me?' just drive the problem deeper," she says.  "Remember to love the sinner, but not the sin."

Book Editor

Co-edited the book What Next???: An Honest Handbook for Single, Expecting Mothers by Sonja Dilbeck (available on Amazon and through Barnes and Noble)

Newspaper Interviews (5)

05/27/2009 - Lewisville Leader Newspaper

YOUTH NEWS

Self-injury support group offered for teenage girls

SUBMITTED REPORT

For desperate teenage girls overwhelmed with emotions that they cannot express, deliberate self injury is becoming an increasingly popular and dangerous form of self expression.

Lori Vann, licensed professional counselor supervisor, has formed the DFW Self-Injury Support Group, which is designed for teenage females, ages 13 to 18, who need extra support as they try to deal with and overcome their urges to injure themselves.

     Those participating can share what coping skills have been helpful for them, in addition to learning new skills from the therapist.  The service offers part therapy and part support group.

     Meetings are scheduled for June 13, June 27, and July 11 at the Lewisville Church of Christ, located at 901 College Parkway in Lewisville.  Girls who plan to attend should call 214-270-6966 to register.  The cost is $20 per session.  Sessions are 75 minutes long.

     "Self injury, also referred to as self abuse, self mutilation and self harm, is an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed problem," Vann said.  "Individuals who participate in this harmful coping skill may also struggle with depression, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, perfectionism/control issues, anxiety disorders, and have a history of abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual)."

     Vann was a professor of psychology for both the Collin County and Dallas County college districts.  She has studied self injury for more than nine years and has worked with more than 125 individuals who have some history of self harm.  She has given more than 20 presentations on self injury throughout the Metroplex. 

08/12/2009 - The Carrollton Leader Newspaper & 08/19/2009 - The Colony Courier Newspaper

In her nine years of counseling self-injurers, Vann said the most common reason is that the emotional pain can be so bad that the physical pain is a release for it. It is estimated that 20 percent of teens have self-injured at some point in their lives.
Vann defines self-injury as the intentional harming of yourself, usually for emotional reasons.
“It can take a lot of different forms,” she said. “The most common is cutting. There’s also scratching or rubbing, burning, piercing the skin with different objects.” Vann said guys often go with more violent methods of self-injury such as burning, hitting objects, or using objects to hit themselves. “It’s downplayed, but they are doing it intentionally,” she said.

She said forearms are the most common spot for injury, along with the shoulders, chest area and legs. She suggests parents approach with caution if they suspect their teen is self-injuring.
“They have to watch their emotional state,” Vann said. “One of the biggest mistakes is parents become accusatory. They get mad at them. If a parent doesn’t feel they can control themselves, they should seek out a counselor.”

During therapy, Vann gives out a packet of alternatives to self-injury with a list of things teens can do to get over impulse to self-injure. Exercise, dancing and listening to music are some of those alternatives.
“If they’re feeling angry… I have them either write a letter or journal about the situation or person they’re really ticked off about,” she said. “Then they take that letter and rip it up.”
Vann said self-injury can continue into adulthood if not treated.
“Some may ‘grow out of it,’ but if they didn’t work on issues that led to it, it will continue into adulthood,” she said. “Self injury can become addictive.”

Teen girls, teen guys and women must call and speak with Vann first before attending the group. The girls’ group meets for 75 minutes every other Saturday at Carrollton Church of Christ, 4228 Josey Lane. The teen guys’ group meets at 6 p.m. every other Wednesday evening Vann’s office, 4020 Huffines Blvd., Suite 120. The women’s injury group will begin meeting in the fall. The exact date and time have not been set, but it will probably be Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. at the Carrollton Church of Christ.
Cost is $20 per session and receipts will be provided. Call 214-270-6966 to register. For information, visit lorivann.com.