Self-Harm

Self-harm consists of any kind of behavior that purposefully causes bodily harm to oneself. People who engage in self-harming behaviors may have difficulty identifying and articulating emotion, driving them to hurt themselves as a means of soothing. Self-harm is often used to get an unconscious need met and may escalate when left untreated.

Identification and Symptoms

Self-harming behaviors often arise as a means of coping, though the initial objective varies. For instance, someone may use self-harm to deal with strong emotions, combat numbness, block upsetting memories, enact self-punishment, or feel a sense of control in a chaotic world.

Examples of self-harm:

• Disordered eating
• Substance abuse
• Cutting
• Mutilation
• Burning
• Pinching
• Hitting
• Scratching

Trauma is commonly at the root of self-harming behaviors, as it can interfere with someone’s ability to see their own worth and develop safe ways to cope with emotional overwhelm. In some cases, self-harm can cause a physical sensation of relief in the body.

What Does Treatment Look Like?

Multiple components and modalities are well-suited for treating self-harm. DBT teaches people how to tolerate distress better, resist acting on impulses, and regulate their emotions. I also draw on harm-reduction and Seeking Safety skills alongside mindfulness tools to help you build self-awareness and compassion.

During therapy, we will explore your values and curiosities and work toward implementing new coping strategies that decrease potentially harmful behavior. As your therapist, it is not my place to make decisions for you in regards to what behaviors you deem ineffective and would like to change in your life. Rather, my goal is to help you explore your own needs and figure out how to meet them in a way that is consistent with your values.