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Self-Harm and Self-Care

Written on 31 October 2014 by admin

Our therapeutic team have extensive experience within the field of abuse, trauma, loss and eating disorders. We aim to facilitate a sensitive exploration and understanding of self-harm and self- injurious behaviours.
Self-harm can be on a continuum of overt and physical injury to self including suicidal ideation. We recognise this as a form of non-verbal communication and a survival strategy for unbearable internal pain or life experiences.
Self-harm behaviours may manifest as self-neglect and can include: an eating disorder, addictions, overworking, self-isolation, risk taking, deprivation of sleep, sex and nourishment.
On an interpersonal level you may find you devalue yourself, engage in destructive relationships patterns, feel restricted in your life choices, over compliance, or place the welfare of others above your own.
It may feel hard to find the language to speak about self-harm or past experiences that may have triggered self-harm behaviours. We aim to facilitate with you your capacity to find healthier forms of expression and most importantly at your pace.

– We will develop a safety contract in exploring your self-harming behaviours.

– Identify triggers to self-harm. These may include early or present experiences of: trauma, abandonment, loss and separation, fears of uncontrollable aggression and anxiety, inadequate nurturing, neglect, loneliness, withdrawal of a trusted person, fears of conflict, sense of failure, perfectionism and humiliation.

– Explore past and present relationship patterns.

– Understand the functions of self-harming behaviour and replace with more adaptive ways to deal with emotions.

– Psychoeducation. Develop tools for self-regulation and increase good self-care.

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