Oftentimes, self-harm behaviors are used by individuals to cope with psychological distress and to find some form of relief from negative emotions; individuals will sometimes find that this is the only outlet to release tension. However, self-harm has the potential to progress into more deadly behaviors, so it is important to seek assistance for these behaviors.
According to the Mayo Clinic, engaging in self-harm can be caused by a wide range of circumstances, including having difficulties determining other coping skills and difficulty managing negative emotions.
Thus, in order to help someone who is self-harming, effective therapeutic techniques should include helping a client determine alternative coping mechanisms and how to manage emotions in a safer way. Madrigal clinicians are committed to approaching the topic of self-harm through an empathetic lens, recognizing that it can be difficult and scary to initially stop self-harming; we are here to walk you through that process, and you will never have to go through those experiences alone.
*More information can be found on The Mayo Clinic. Click this link to learn more information.*
Self-injury/cutting. (n.d.). The Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/dis...