The two excellent papers by Feigenbaum and Moorey summarize different cognitive-behavioural treatments (CBT) for people who self-harm. Both authors outline their understanding of the genesis of self-harm, reviewing the evidence that a judicious mix of carefully applied cognitive behavioural techniques can help patients to reduce the frequency and severity of their self-mutilation and self-poisoning. Not surprisingly there is considerable discussion about borderline personality disorder (BPD) which has recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behaviour as one of the defining criteria. Feigenbaum writes almost exclusively about dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) defining it as a treatment developed for BPD although it was initially used for patients who were self-harming. Moorey outlines a mix of CBT