Auburn College of Education scholars among national award recipients for research advancing understanding of self-injury

Auburn University College of Education doctoral graduate Sara Ellison and faculty member Jill Meyer are among four scholars nationally recognized with an Outstanding Scholar Award from The Professional Counselor for research that is reshaping how mental health professionals understand self-injury.

The award honors the co-authored study by Ellison (an adjunct faculty member at Auburn’s College of Education and the University of West Georgia), Meyer (a professor and director of Counselor Education at Auburn's College of Education), Julia Whisenhunt (a professor, assistant chair and program director at the University of West Georgia) and Jessica Meléndez Tyler (an associate professor at Vanderbilt University). The publication of their study’s findings in The Professional Counselor was selected as one of the TPC’s most outstanding articles of the year.

The award-winning work challenges a long-standing assumption in the field — that nonsuicidal self-injury is always impulsive — by showing there are two distinct patterns: one driven by impulse and emotion, and another that is planned, controlled and often hidden. The findings provide a clearer, more complete picture of a complex mental health issue that affects individuals across the lifespan, often beginning in adolescence.

“It is such an honor to receive this award,” Ellison said. “This study highlights that individuals who engage in self-injury can have very different experiences, and recognizing those differences is critical to improving how we support treatment and recovery.”

The research served as the foundation for Ellison’s 2024 dissertation, completed under Meyer's direction. It was later published in The Professional Counselor, where it earned national recognition from the journal’s editorial board.

A clearer picture of a complex issue

The study focuses on nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) — defined as the intentional harming of one’s body without the intent to die. While widely associated with impulsive behavior, the research shows that individuals experience NSSI in two primary ways:

• Undercontrolled self-injury – impulsive, emotionally driven, disclosed despite secrecy and often tied to a need for immediate relief
• Overcontrolled self-injury – deliberate, restrained, guided by rules and ritual and typically concealed from others, being highly private

In simple terms, the study shows that people who struggle with self-injury are not all the same — and understanding those differences is critical to helping them.

"Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has historically been associated with deficits in impulse control; however, evidence suggests that individuals high in self-control also self-injure,” the study states.

To better explain this, a new framework known as the Theory of Overcontrolled and Undercontrolled Self-Injury details how these behaviors develop, how individuals may move between patterns and what contributes to stopping the behavior.

"This study aimed to explore the nature of undercontrolled and overcontrolled self-injury to fill gaps in the literature and to improve clinical understanding and treatment,” Ellison said.

Impact on counseling and care

The findings of the study give counselors and mental health professionals a stronger, more practical foundation for their work. By recognizing that self-injury can stem from very different patterns of behavior, practitioners can move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and provide more personalized care.

For example, individuals who struggle with impulsive self-injury may benefit from strategies that help regulate intense emotions, while those who engage in more controlled, hidden behaviors may need support in expressing emotions and reducing rigid patterns of thinking.

The research also identifies how individuals may shift between these patterns over time and highlights the different paths people take in stopping self-injury — insights that can directly inform treatment and support.

The Professional Counselor Outstanding Scholar Award recognizes the most noteworthy articles published each year, selected based on scholarly excellence, innovation and relevance to the counseling profession. Winners are chosen by the journal’s editorial board.

Ellison, Meyer, Whisenhunt and Meléndez Tyler were recognized for addressing a critical gap in understanding self-injury and offering meaningful, research-based insight that can improve how counselors support clients.

Ellison’s and Meyer’s involvement reflects the College of Education’s commitment to research that opens doors, improves lives and builds a better future for all. By translating complex mental health concepts into clearer understanding, their work equips professionals with better tools — and ultimately helps individuals receive more effective, compassionate care.

The full article in the TPC, titled “Unraveling Overcontrolled and Undercontrolled Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: A Grounded Theory,” is available online.