Self-Harm
It can be a frightening experience for parents to discover a child has developed self-harming behaviour.
There are some critical timelines and principles that must be followed:
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Get professional support as early as possible. The sooner support is in place from a qualified therapist, the more likely the behaviour can be nipped in the bud.
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Parents - speak to a highly experienced therapist BEFORE you confront your child. The behaviour will often deteriorate in proportion to the level of shame attached to it.
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Do not expect your child to explain, "Why?" At this stage, they likely cannot put their experience into words or explain why they cope this way. It is the therapist's role to help the teen make sense of their internal world.
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You are the parent, not the therapist. Your role is twofold: remain regulated - as your own fear or overwhelm will further dysregulate your child- and ensure they feel unconditionally loved and safe.
Teenage Toolbox offers specialised support sessions for parents to help them navigate and understand their child’s world during these high-intensity moments. We also work with teenagers one-on-one to provide the individual focus they need to move from a state of survival to one of stability.