Self-Harm

I utilize DBT, an evidence based treatment used to treat emotion dysregulation, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. Clients have significantly decreased, suicidal ideation, and self-harm by increasing skills in four core areas. Diary card mechanics and phone coaching are utilized as part of treatment modality.

I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for individuals struggling with self-harm. I understand that self-harm often arises as a coping mechanism for overwhelming emotions. My approach focuses on helping you uncover the underlying issues, develop healthier coping strategies, and rebuild self-compassion. Together, we’ll work toward breaking the cycle of self-harm and creating a foundation for healing and emotional well-being.

Whether 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.

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.

Often 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.

I 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.

Building skills and supports to cope with emotional pain, suffering, and numbness; increasing positive meaningful life experiences

I work from a harm reduction framework with the ultimate goal in my work with clients to be that they utilize safe and consistent skills and tools rather than engaging in self harm. In my work with clients who self harm, my priority is not only their well being but also to hold space and give them grace as they walk along the path to a safe and fulfilling life.

For over a year I worked in an emergency department and adult mental health units with patients struggling with self-harm. Throughout this process, our staff used a series of DBT-tailored interventions to help guide patients through their urges and towards healing. We used similar interventions for those struggling with active suicidality. I am trained in de-escalation and crisis intervention.

I have been working with clients who struggle with self harm and suicidal ideation since 2002. Using DBT skills, mindfulness, and other modality approaches, one can find other ways to cope with difficult emotions.

We use DBT interventions to treat self harm.

Self-harm exists on a wide spectrum from actively physically harming yourself or the neglect of caring for yourself to making unhealthy choices and not understanding why. I have experience processing how self-harm is often fulfilling a need or value and how to improve that relationship with your self.

Feeling down and alone can be a difficult feeling to cope with. In creating a safety and treatment plan, we can work together to replace harmful behaviors.

Someone might self-harm for a variety of reasons, but ultimately, self-harm is a person's way of expressing that something is wrong and they need help. So long as self-harm is not putting a person's life in danger, I approach the issue with compassion and non-judgment while we explore alternate methods to handle the feelings that drive the behavior.

Self-harm is a symptom associated with many mental health disorders. I strongly believe that finding out why a person self-harms is the most important part of changing this behavior. I use a harm-reduction approach to self-harming behaviors in order to let clients heal at their own pave, empowering them to use healther, safer coping skills in the future.

Self-harm occurs for many different reasons and understanding the differences to those reasons is crucial to helping someone stop the behavior. Self-harm does not always equate to suicidality and some providers inappropriately refer individuals who self-harm to inpatient programs, causing the potential for additional trauma and stress. Self-harm, in many cases, is an attempt at coping when a person doesn't yet know alternative healthy ways to cope instead.

Self-harm means hurting yourself on purpose. People may self-injure for many reasons. For some, it might feel like relief, like taking the lid off a pressure cooker. Others might self-harm because physical pain might remind them that they’re alive. But self-harm can sometimes be more severe than intended or lead to infection. Utilizing DBT, I have treated children, adolescents, and adults in decreasing the harmful behaviors and replace them with healthy and safe coping skills.

Self-harm is something that is often shared about and focused on by my clients. I approach self-harm with a calm, trauma-informed lens that focuses on the safety of the individual as well as addresses the underlying causes and contributing factors. I have worked with clients who engage in self-harm in a variety of settings including immediate crisis response, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization, and outpatient individual and group therapy.