How to Get Counseling for Teens Who Practice Self-Injury

Self-injury in teens, a serious behavior requiring sensitive treatment, can take many forms. Whether a teen cuts, burns, scratches, bites, bruises or otherwise hurts himself, such self-harming behaviors represent a teen's attempt to cope with overwhelming emotions. Finding counseling for teens who practice self-injury can help them learn to deal less harmfully and more effectively with their powerful emotions.

Instructions

• 1

  Remain as calm as possible if you discover that your teen is practicing self-injury.

• 2

  Talk to the teen about why she is cutting, and listen respectfully to her response. Understand that self-injury is a coping mechanism.

• 3

  Seek professional help immediately by calling your doctor if the teen talks about suicide or wanting to die. Most self-injurers are not suicidal.

• 4

  Call the pediatrician, family doctor or a mental health clinic for advice if the teen is not suicidal. Ask for a recommendation to a counselor or therapist who has experience with treating teens who self-injure.

• 5

  Locate three or four therapists who have experience with adolescents and self-injury. Interview each one over the phone before making a decision about which one you want to treat your teen. Ask each one about his experience, training, philosophy and costs.

• 6

  Choose the therapist you think might be the best match for your teen. Make an appointment and take your teen to the appointment.

• 7

  Support the teen's treatment by making sure he or she goes to each appointment and takes any medication the doctor might prescribe.

• 8

  Find another counselor or therapist if your teen doesn't feel comfortable with the first counselor or therapist you choose. It's important that the self-injuring teen feel free to express his or her emotions with the treating professional.