Teen Cutting or Self-Injury Therapy - San Francisco Bay Area Psychotherapy: Individual, Couple, Adolescent, Child and Family Therapy

The deliberate harm, mutilation, injury of the body or a body part, not with the intent to commit suicide. The harm, injury or mutilation serves a purpose and involves cutting, burning, scratching, hitting, biting, kicking, head banging and pulling hair out.

Why do teens self-harm?	What parents can do
to release tension to express anger, or other unacceptable feelings to punish self (feel guilty) to "numb out" to feel "alive" to have control to relieve feelings of emptiness to stop "bad" thoughts to calm down to feel euphoric	be available to provide emotional support don't get angry listen without saying anything back try to understand don't punish or lecture don't hide objects of harm don't assume anything don't be intrusive (snooping, invade privacy) no blaming or guilt trips

Parents should take this behavior seriously and seek professional help. Kirsten works extensively with teenagers and their family members. Here are some common questions that teens have about therapy.