Self-harm, also known as self-injury, means hurting yourself on purpose. While cutting (using a sharp object to pierce your skin) is the most common form of self-harm many other forms exist, including burning, scratching or hitting body parts. Self-harm often first manifests itself in adolescence or young adulthood and is typically used as a way to cope with emotional pain. Individuals who have experienced trauma, neglect or abuse are particularly susceptible to self-harming behaviors. Self-harm can be a passing phase, but it is sometimes a symptom of a more serious psychiatric problem, like anxiety, depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, so it is important to take it seriously. Whether you, or a child in your care, has recently started hurting yourself or you’ve been doing it for a while, there is help available! Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s self-harm experts today.
When a person becomes overwhelmed and distressed, they may look to various avenues of relief to reduce their uncomfortable feelings, including self-harm. Self harming behaviors can be seen as a coping skill that a person acquires when they do not have other tools in their toolbox to navigate the challenges they may face. When working to address self harm, the main focus of treatment is finding new coping skills that encourage healing and help keep a person safe when facing distress.
— Kristina Altomari, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Boston, MAAn area of interest for me, working with adults and adolescents to learn replacement behaviors. Some additional training in this area.
— Elizabeth Fulsher, Clinical Social Worker in Vancouver, WAContrary to what the media portrays, self-harm is NOT for attention. Self-harm is a coping strategy used by people who are hurting, feel misunderstood, or feel they don't have any other way to express their emotions. Let me help you first find safe replacement strategies, then help you conquer the situations that brought you to self-harm in the first place.
— Kasey Wiggam, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Indianapolis, INSelf-injury is one of the most misunderstood of all coping strategies. Self-injury is most often an attempt to both regulate and tolerate intolerable feelings. It also communicates psychological pain and suffering through the more recognizable and understandable physical pain. Both self-injury and eating disorders are common among LGBTQ folx, especially those who identify under the trans umbrella. Learning to understand what problem the self-injury is attempting to solve is key to healing.
— Beth Holzhauer, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Evanston, ILWhether through cutting, hitting, or using a "good" behavior to the point of hurting ones self, many people will try to soothe distressing emotions or thoughts by hurting themself, usually beginning in their teen years. In session, we will talk through the purpose of the behavior, what it "gives", and find safer alternatives to achieve the same goals, while also working through the pain which led to the self-harm in the first place.
— Elizabeth Bolton, Licensed Professional Counselor in Cypress, TXOften those who suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD) or have a history of abuse, also suffer from self-harm. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is indicated to help relieve these behaviors which stem from finding a way to cope any way one can. While self-harm starts as a way to manage difficult emotions and/or experiences, shame and self-loathing often accompany the behaviors. Our DBT program at HHC&W and training in trauma-informed care is most helpful for this concern.
— Stacy Walker, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Sarasota, FLSelf-harm is not a mental illness, but a behavior that indicates a need for better coping skills. Several illnesses are associated with it, including borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, anxiety or posttraumatic distress disorder. Self-harm isn’t the same as attempting suicide. However, it is a symptom of emotional pain that should be taken seriously.
— Allyse Teltser, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Roswell, GABuilding skills and supports to cope with emotional pain, suffering, and numbness; increasing positive meaningful life experiences
— Hannah Brooks, Social Worker in New York, NYI have 8 years of experience working with individuals that have significant urges to harm themselves or are experiencing suicidal ideation. I think that recognition, honesty, openness, and having a supportive ally, are really important steps in beginning the path of challenging self harm urges and actions.
— Sam Anderson, Clinical Social Worker in Golden Valley, MNI have completed training and have been effectively working with individuals who struggle with self-injury for several years.
— Jennifer Turner, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Baltimore, MDI have been working with individuals who self-harm for over five years. Utilizing DBT, my clients are able to understand the reasons they self-harm and find other ways to cope, along with making effective changes in their lives to eliminate stressors that lead to destructive behaviors.
— Casey Perisin, Clinical PsychologistSelf harm is in my opinion misunderstood. A client that is using self harm doesn't have the appropriate tools to manage distressing emotions. Clients that self harm are in an extreme amount of pain, and they take the pain out on themselves to feel better. Learning healthy and appropriate ways to tolerate, and work their way out of this addictive pattern of self abuse takes time, patience, and love.
— Bethany Juran, Licensed Professional Counselor in Lincolnshire, ILWork with self harming behaviors to create healthier, more positive coping skills.
— Lindsey Kovalik Bianchini, Licensed Clinical Social WorkerI am experienced in working with both children and adults who use self harm as a coping mechanism.
— Mina Metreaud, Mental Health Counselor in New York, NYOne of the most meaningful experiences that I have had as a therapist is meeting a number of clients who have felt in such a dark place as to turn to self-harm or to to experience such a level of self-hate as to want to hurt themselves----and being a part of those client's healing. If interested in improving your relationship with yourself or being able to understand why you self-harm to feel better and no longer need it, we can begin therapy using strategies of DBT and self-compassion.
— JENNIFER GERLACH, Therapist in Swansea, ILI use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to help clients decrease self harm and increase healthier coping strategies.
— Rena Blatt, Clinical Social Worker in flushing, NYI have extensive experience working with adolescent and adult clients who have both current and past self-harm behaviors. I work with evidence based interventions and harm reduction practices to help clients identify the unique function of their self harm behaviors and develop motivation to move towards healthier and more sustainable coping strategies.
— Jacqueline Benson, Clinical Psychologist in Oakland, CA