The CARE framework is a relevant, flexible and practical tool that can be used to map out a plan of care for helping the client who deliberately self-harms. A clear framework for care is useful for clinicians and consumers because ideally it provides a standard, holistic and considered approach for what is a complex health care issue. This paper recounts a story from clinical experience in which the CARE framework was applied. In this encounter, the nurse was helped to move beyond the limitations of the medical model towards an approach which proved satisfying for the health professional, and awakening for the client.