Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on May 23, 2025Self-harm is a painful and often misunderstood coping mechanism. For those who struggle with it, the physical act may offer temporary relief — but it never addresses the real source of pain. If you or someone you love is self-harming, know this: you are not alone, and support is available. With the right therapy for self harm, healing is not only possible — it’s likely.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
9000 West Chester Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53214
Carla Weismantel is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They treat Self Harm, Borderline Personality, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The best of mental healthcare in one place. At Geode, we combine full-spectrum psychiatry and talk therapy to better meet changing patient needs.
Psychologist
Remote only
Alyssa Austern is a Psychologist in Chatham, New Jersey. They treat Self Harm, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Narcissistic Personality.
Hello! I'm Dr. Alyssa Austern and I am a clinical psychologist who specializes in couples and family therapy, as well as individual therapy across the lif
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
486 W Boughton Rd, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440
Ada Wang is a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in Bolingbrook, Illinois. They treat Self Harm, Drug Use, Suicidal Ideation.
The best of mental healthcare in one place. At Geode, we combine full-spectrum psychiatry and talk therapy to better meet changing patient needs.
Psychologist
Remote only
Michelle Litwer is a Psychologist in undefined, undefined and has been in practice for 8 years. They treat Self Harm, Relationship(s) with Friends/Roommates, Alcohol Use.
My main objective is to help clients manage their emotions, make decisions that are line with their values, and to live fulfilling and meaningful lives.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
5540 Falmouth Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230
Stephen Barlow is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Richmond, Virginia. They treat Self Harm, Polyamorous relationship, Relationship(s) with Partner/Husband/Wife.
I help people overcome anxiety, depression, and stress stemming from relationships or past experiences, in individual or couples counseling.
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
54 Park Place, Grand Chute, Wisconsin 54914
Katy Jones is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Grand Chute, Wisconsin and has been in practice for 22 years. They treat Self Harm, Postpartum Depression, Alcohol Use.
Katy specializes in divorce mediation, depression, anxiety and stress management, assertiveness training, and various relational issues.
Self-harm refers to the deliberate act of hurting oneself, usually as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, inner turmoil, or a sense of numbness. It can take many forms: cutting, burning, hitting, scratching, or even interfering with wound healing. While it may seem shocking from the outside, for the person doing it, self-harm is often a desperate attempt to find relief, control, or emotional release.
People self-harm for a variety of reasons:
It’s critical to understand that self-harm is not attention-seeking or manipulative behavior. It’s usually secretive and often tied to deep internal struggles. That’s why counseling for self harm is focused not only on stopping the behavior but on uncovering and healing its emotional roots.
No — while self-harm and suicide attempts may sometimes overlap, they are not the same. Most people who self-harm are not trying to end their life. Rather, they are trying to cope with emotional pain, not escape life altogether.
However, self-harming behavior can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts over time, especially if the underlying issues are not addressed. That’s why it’s so important to take self-harm seriously — even if the person insists they’re “fine” or not suicidal.
Therapy for self harm provides tools to manage distress in safer, more sustainable ways and helps reduce the risk of escalation.
Self-harm is often hidden due to shame or fear of judgment. Still, there are signs that may suggest someone is struggling:
If you notice these signs, it doesn’t automatically mean someone is self-harming — but it’s a signal to check in gently and nonjudgmentally.
Yes. Self-harm doesn’t discriminate. People who self-harm can be high achievers, professionals, caregivers, or outwardly happy individuals. Many become experts at masking their emotional pain.
This is why self harm therapists focus not just on visible distress, but also on subtle emotional struggles like perfectionism, self-criticism, anxiety, or unresolved trauma. Just because someone is functioning on the outside doesn’t mean they aren’t hurting inside.
It’s important to create safe spaces — through therapy or trusted relationships — where people can drop the mask and explore what’s really going on.
Self-harm rarely occurs in isolation. It’s typically a response to intense emotional pain or underlying psychological conditions that make it difficult to manage distress in a healthy way. For many individuals, self-injury becomes a form of emotional regulation — a way to release, distract from, or “feel” something during times of numbness, anxiety, or inner chaos.
Common Emotional Triggers
People who self-harm often experience overwhelming feelings such as:
These emotions are not signs of weakness or drama — they’re signs of deep inner struggle. That’s why therapy for self harm focuses not just on stopping the behavior, but on understanding and soothing these underlying emotional wounds.
Mental Health Conditions Commonly Linked to Self-Harm
Self-harm is not a mental illness in itself, but it often co-occurs with one or more mental health conditions. Addressing these conditions is a key part of effective treatment.
Self-harm is common among people with depression. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and emotional numbness may drive someone to seek sensation or relief through self-injury. It may feel like a way to “wake up” when everything else feels flat or meaningless.
Individuals with generalized anxiety, panic disorder, or social anxiety may use self-harm as a way to escape intense worry or to gain a sense of control. When anxiety becomes unbearable, physical pain may temporarily redirect focus or calm the nervous system.
BPD is one of the conditions most closely associated with self-harm. People with BPD often experience intense, rapidly shifting emotions, unstable relationships, and chronic feelings of emptiness. Self-injury can serve as a coping mechanism during moments of extreme distress, abandonment fears, or emotional overload. Dialectical behavior therapy for self harm is particularly effective for individuals with BPD.
For trauma survivors, self-harm may be a response to flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, or emotional dysregulation. It can also reflect feelings of guilt or self-blame stemming from the trauma. Therapists may integrate trauma-informed approaches to address these deeper wounds.
Self-harm often coexists with disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Both behaviors may be rooted in perfectionism, control, or self-punishment, and both may function as ways to manage emotional pain or dissociation.
Some individuals may experience self-harming urges as part of compulsive behavior or obsessive thoughts. This is less common but can be addressed through cognitive behavioral therapy for self harm that includes exposure and response prevention (ERP).
Self-injury and substance abuse sometimes occur together, particularly when a person is using both to numb pain or escape overwhelming emotions. Therapy may address the interconnected patterns of coping and self-soothing.
The Importance of a Holistic Approach
Because self-harming behavior is so often tied to other emotional and psychological challenges, effective treatment requires a comprehensive view of the person’s mental health. A self harm therapist will assess co-occurring issues and tailor treatment accordingly — using an integrated approach that may include talk therapy, skills training, trauma work, family support, or medication when appropriate.
Whether you're seeking online therapy for self harm or in-person support, the goal is to help the individual build emotional awareness, learn safer coping strategies, and create a life where self-harm no longer feels necessary.
Dialectical behavior therapy for self harm and cognitive behavioral therapy for self harm are effective in helping clients identify, understand, and tolerate these emotions without turning to physical harm.
Several evidence-based therapies have proven effective in treating self-harming behaviors:
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Originally developed for individuals with BPD, DBT teaches clients skills in four key areas:
Dialectical behavior therapy for self harm helps people understand their triggers and develop new coping strategies that don’t involve hurting themselves.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps individuals recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs that fuel self-harming urges. It also teaches healthier ways to respond to emotional triggers.
CBT for self harm often includes:
Trauma-Focused Therapy
If the self-harm stems from past abuse, neglect, or trauma, approaches like EMDR or somatic therapy may be appropriate.
Psychodynamic or Insight-Oriented Therapy
These therapies explore the deeper emotional roots of self-harm, such as attachment wounds or identity struggles.
Whether in person or through online therapy for self harm, the most important factor is a strong therapeutic relationship rooted in safety and trust.
In some cases, medication may help — especially when self-harm is linked to a co-occurring condition like depression, anxiety, or mood instability.
Medications that may be considered include:
Medication is not a cure for self-harm but can reduce emotional intensity and increase a person’s ability to engage meaningfully in therapy. A psychiatrist or prescribing doctor can assess whether it’s appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
A self harm therapist doesn’t just focus on stopping the behavior — they focus on understanding the person behind it.
Treatment often begins with:
Many therapists also work closely with families, schools, or care teams if appropriate — always prioritizing the client’s emotional safety and dignity.
Recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive community, and the right professional care, you can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. We’re here to help you find the support you need.
