Self-Harm is a Coping Skill: How to Actually Help High-Risk Teens | Teens No Cap Ep. 39
Teens Uncharted: the PodShow Notes
Welcome back to Teens No Cap! In episode 39, we are tackling a heavy but crucial topic for March, which is Self-Harm Awareness Month. Self-harm is still a very taboo subject today, and there are many misconceptions about what it actually is. As a licensed mental health counselor specializing in high-risk teens, I want to share a different perspective on how we approach and treat self-injury.
Here is what we cover in tonight's episode: 💡We expand the definition of self-harm beyond traditional cutting or burning to include disordered eating, substance abuse, and high-risk sex practices. 💡We discuss how self-harm is often an attempt to manage an internal state and self-preserve through means the person has control over. 💡I explain why asking a teen "why" they self-harm is unhelpful because it puts them in a state of defense and forces them to justify their coping skills. 💡We explore the alternative of asking "what is that like for you?" to foster collaboration and curiosity. 💡I break down why telling someone to "just stop" ignores the reality that the behavior has become a predictable, comforting friend to them. 💡We look at recovery through the lens of micro-steps, focusing on building behavioral scaffolding rather than expecting overnight healing. 💡We discuss how relapse is a normal part of the process and a learning opportunity, not a failure.
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