Self-Harm

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

One of the most meaningful pieces of the work I do is helping people improve their relationships with themselves. I have experience implementing DBT-informed therapy and compassion-focused therapies to help clients manage self-harm and related challenges. Through this, we can help you understand what leads to self-harm and get you to a place of not feeling a need to have to resort to harming yourself to feel okay.

I work with teenagers and adults who use all sorts of behaviors to try to feel better, even when they know those behaviors are hurtful to themselves or others, or aren't in line with their values. I have worked with self-harm, thoughts of suicide, and emotional dysregulation in inpatient and outpatient settings. I rely on behavioral and emotional strategies to help you understand why you're using these behaviors and what to do instead.

I have worked for three years with individuals struggling with self-harm and suicidal ideation. Together, we can implement key coping skills to reduce the emotional pain and to find safer ways to cope with trauma.

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

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

Self-harm/self-injurious behaviors (SIB) are common among children and youth who have been exposed to Trauma (typically moderate/superficial types of direct SIB: cutting, burning, hair pulling, and scarification). SIB can be seen as a maladaptive form of self regulation and may represent a child or youth’s attempt to to modulate overwhelming emotional experiences and symptoms of PTSD. In my work, I've seen how Creative, Somatic, and Equine Therapies can effectively guide youth away from SIB.

One 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.