Self-Harm Behavior in Teens
Self-harm or self-injury is a behavior that is often misunderstood. Many parents, partners, friends or family are at a loss when they see self harm scars. Even well meaning therapists do not understand how difficult it is to treat the roots of self harm behavior.
At Suffolk DBT we welcome clients who may engage in self-harm behaviors such as cutting or burning. This is a complex behavior that requires experienced therapists who understand and offer life changing therapy.
From Self-Harm to Support: Susie’s Healing Journey
Susie was 16 when she sought treatment at Suffolk DBT on Long Island. Susie’s situation is typical of many teens that we see. Prior to coming to our Long Island Therapy Practice , she had six failed treatment experiences due to suicidal thoughts and self-injury. Her family followed school recommendations for her care, which didn’t address her underlying emotional dysregulation, and didn’t offer her or her family the support they needed.
Susie began cutting at 13 after her first crush rejected her. Standard outpatient therapy did not help her cutting or suicidal thoughts. Whenever she mentioned self-harm, she was sent to the emergency room, often leading to hospitalization. She felt hopeless about her recovery.
Individual DBT therapy gave Susie knowledge and structure
In her first session with our trained DBT therapist, we acknowledged her feelings of hopelessness due to past failures. Instead of just telling her to use coping skills, we explained that in DBT, she would learn how to effectively apply these skills.
We taught her the DBT mindfulness skills to help her develop attentional control when emotions ran high. For instance, practicing paced breathing both in session and out of session. She would notice that her thoughts would come her mind might wander to self-harm behavior, and instead of taking action, she could turn her mind back to her breath. DBT skills practice in-session gave Susie confidence in herself. We would tell her ” It’s like riding a bike. With practice you can do this all on your own!”
DBT gave Susie active support and helped her recognize patterns
Once Susie committed to treatment, we aimed to stop her cutting and shift her suicidal thoughts. She completed a daily diary card to track urges toward self-harm behavior, suicidal ideation, emotions, and skills used. We explored triggers for her cutting and practiced new skills.
DBT skills groups and on-call phone coaching offered community and real-life support
Susie joined a weekly skills group with peers, and other parents which fostered a sense of hope. For the first time, she didn’t feel weird or solely to blame for her struggles.
Initially, she called for phone coaching a few times a week. This support helped her manage urges effectively. She began to realize she could cope without self-harm and get through her pain without making her life worse.
Family involvement in DBT groups helped Susie heal from self-harm behavior
Susie’s parents attended the weekly family group to learn how to support her. They practiced the same skills she was learning. They also learned how to be there for her when she did cut herself. They stopped reacting to the cutting and learned to support her in ways that worked.
After three months, her cutting stopped, and suicidal thoughts greatly decreased. Over time, she learned to manage her emotions and improve relationships. She started seeing the world in shades of gray instead of black and white resulting in dialectical thinking. Though still sensitive, her emotions felt less overwhelming. She learned to experience all of her emotions and manage them effectively.
Suffolk DBT helps teens find safe alternatives to self-harm behavior
Many adolescents face unnecessary emergency room visits and ineffective outpatient therapy, leading to hopelessness. DBT is the most researched and effective treatment for self-harm and suicide risk.
Susie’s therapy experience reflects a typical young girl in Long Island whose life improved through DBT therapy. Her unwavering commitment towards changing her life, her family’s willingness to support her, and the dedication of a whole DBT treatment Team in Suffolk County, NY.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, consider these resources on Long Island and NYC. We are proud to service both Nassau County and Suffolk County. With offices in Mt. Sinai, Babylon, and Roslyn Heights. Our NYC office also offers in person DBT therapy.
https://www.responsecrisiscenter.org/get-help/ a hotline for immediate assistance in a crisis.
For more information on self-harm counseling click here.
Nationally, you can reach the Self Injury Foundation’s 24 hour crisis line at
*1-800-334-HELP – Self Injury Foundation’s 24-hour national crisis line.
Suffolk DBT proudly provides quality dialectical behavior therapy, a form of cognitive behavioral therapy, at their offices in Manhattan and Long Island, New York and online. Their experienced therapists specialize in serving teens, children, adults, and college students struggling with depression, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, and self-harm. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills and treatment can help you or your kids to manage emotions and work through life’s challenges. Suffolk DBT Manhattan and Long Island offer a free screening call so you can get started right away.