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.

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.

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.

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

I will provide a safe and non-judgmental space to explore underlying emotions and experiences that drive self-harming behaviors. My approach involves helping you understand the triggers and patterns associated with self-harm, and together, we'll develop healthier coping mechanisms to manage difficult feelings. I am committed to supporting you on your journey toward healing, self-acceptance, and finding alternative ways to cope.

I have worked with self injury for over 15 years and also provide trainings and workshops on the topic for clinicians, parents and schools. I use a harm reduction approach, and help people to explore the meaning and purpose of their self injury as they learn instead to find words for their pain.

I use my years of experience and education to address issues that individuals with self-harm behaviors face.

Having worked with teens for most of my career, I've worked a great deal with self-harm. It doesn't have to become a staple in one's life. One can learn a new way to cope with negative feelings that doesn't involve self-harm.

I am experienced in working with both children and adults who use self harm as a coping mechanism.

I have worked extensively with clients struggling with self-harming behaviors. I have worked in a Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program that often included work with adults and adolescents working to change their self-harming behaviors. I have been trained in Dialectic Behavioral Therapy to help work on both distress tolerance to decrease the impulses as well as interpersonal skills to be able to express their emotions more effectively.

By using DBT, I help my clients to understand the chain of events leading to self injurious behavior and replace the behavior with more adaptive coping! I also look for secondary gains that might be reinforcing self injurious behavior when I have a client who is really stuck in their patterns.

I have been working with self-harm issues from a harm reduction lens for 2 years.

Contrary 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.