Self-Harm

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.

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.

Using Cognitive behavioral Therapy (CBT), I am able to guide you to healthier coping mechanisms.

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

I work with teens and adults who experience self-harming thoughts and behaviors to help them process their experiences.

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.

Intensively trained Dialectical Behavioral Therapy counselor. DBT has been shown to help with self-harm behaviors.

I have extensive training, expertise, and experience treating non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and I am happy to provide a complimentary consult to anyone engaging in self-harm or having urges to self-harm, to determine whether DBT-informed therapy could be an effective treatment option.

Previously, I worked at a mental health intensive outpatient facility for adolescents, and young adults experiencing self-harming urges and suicidal ideation. I have experience with safety planning and exploring coping skills for redirection.

By using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care, I help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms, process difficult emotions, and build resilience. I provide a nonjudgmental and supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings, identify triggers, and work toward lasting healing.

Self-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.

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.

I specialize in working with individuals struggling with self-harm, providing a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore underlying emotions and triggers. Using evidence-based approaches such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and mindfulness techniques, I help clients develop healthier coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and build self-compassion. My goal is to empower clients to address the root causes of self-harm while fostering resilience, self-awareness, and healing.

Many of us struggle with negative coping skills to help us through life's most difficult tasks and events. Individuals struggling with self harm often struggle with finding other ways to cope. Often we don't realize how harmful certain behaviors can be. I work with clients on DBT skills to work on deescalating emotions with positive coping skills like deep breathing, mindefullness, and exploring new skills that will help avoid negative behaviors and create new positive ones.

I have experience working with clients who self harm currently or have self harmed in the past. My clients learn skills to reduce frequency and intensity of self harm.

You will have access to 24/7 hour phone coaching with me when you have urges for self harm. I will teach you ways to regulate such urges and find better coping strategies to fulfill your needs.

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.