Self-Harm Counselling & Psychotherapy
Discover the underlying reasons for self-harm, and develop better coping strategies to express your feelings…
Reducing Self-Harm
Understand and overcome your self-harm…
There are many reasons for why people self-harm and it is often a way of communicating distress.
Some people may harm themselves because they cannot put their feelings into words, some may deflect emotional pain to physical pain and others might want to make invisible feelings visible.
Other reasons might be to escape from the feelings of trauma, to gain a sense of control or to express suicidal feelings.
Self-harm carries a lot of shame and stigma, and this makes seeking help difficult.
Through counselling we can talk about your reasons for harming yourself and hope to relieve some of your underlying feelings, ultimately reducing your harming behaviour.
If you are worried about your own self-harm, or that of somebody else, please get in touch. Through counselling we can explore the reasons for it, help you with the emotional impact and put in place some coping mechanisms.
Contact me today for a free, confidential and no-obligation telephone consultation and we can start the process.
Please call Louise on 07973 287424
email: louise@refresh-counselling.co.uk
or click the button below to submit an enquiry:
Self-Harm Therapy FAQs
What is self-harm?
Self-harm, also known as self-injury, is the deliberate act of causing physical harm to oneself, often as a way to cope with emotional pain or distress. It can take various forms, such as cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. Self-harm is not typically intended as a suicide attempt but rather a way to manage overwhelming feelings or situations.
Why do people self-harm?
Common reasons for self-harm can include; emotional regulation or as a way to cope with intense feelings of anxiety, sadness or anger. Sometimes self-harm can be a way of expressing pain when the words aren’t forthcoming. Self-harm can be a form of gaining a sense of control over emotional pain or as a way to release tension from a build-up of stress or feelings of numbness.
What are the warning signs of self-harm?
Signs of self-harm may include unexplained cuts, burns or bruises. Wearing long sleeves or trousers to hide injuries, frequent use of bandages or sudden changes in mood or behaviour.
Will self-harm lead to suicide?
Self-harm does not necessarily lead to suicide, but it can be a risk factor for suicidal behaviour. Self-harm is often used as a coping mechanism and suicide involves a desire to end one’s life, so the two issues have different motivations. However, individuals who self-harm have an increased risk of suicide especially those who experience severe depression.
Sometimes, but not always, there are warning signs that somebody is suffering with suicidal thoughts, and these might include; expressing suicidal thoughts or plans, or significant changes in behaviour such as giving away possessions or saying goodbye. It is crucial to take these signs seriously and seek help from professionals. You can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (24 hours/day), or call emergency services on 999.
What are the treatment options for self-harm?
Treatment for self-harm typically involves a combination of therapeutic approaches to address the underlying emotional and psychological issues. Other treatment can involve medication, crisis intervention, support groups, family therapy and self-care.
Treatment for self-harm is often most effective when it addresses both the behaviours and the underlying emotional or psychological issues. A mental health professional can tailor a treatment plan to the individual's specific needs and circumstances.
How to help somebody who self-harms?
Helping somebody who is self-harming can be distressing. It is important to listen to their feelings in a non-judgemental way. Encourage reaching out to a professional for help as it is often easier to talk to somebody outside of the immediate situation. Educating yourself about self-harm is necessary to become aware of the more serious warning signs. Talk to the person about having a safety plan, what to do if the self-harm requires more immediate help, for example; what to do if a cut needs stitches, or if a cut becomes infected.
If you are worried about your own self-harm, or that of somebody else, please get in touch. Through counselling we can explore the reasons for it, help you with the emotional impact and put in place some coping mechanisms.
Contact me today for a free, confidential and no-obligation telephone consultation and we can start the process.
Please call Louise on 07973 287424
email: louise@refresh-counselling.co.uk
or click the button below to submit an enquiry: