Self-harm Treatment
DBT-based treatment for self-injury — building emotional regulation skills and healthier ways to cope with overwhelming feelings.
Book Free ConsultationSelf-harm is not about seeking attention — it's usually about seeking relief from emotional pain that feels unbearable. Cutting, burning, hitting, and other forms of self-injury become compulsive coping mechanisms that provide temporary relief but create a cycle of shame, secrecy, and escalation.
At Sunflower Clinic, we approach self-harm with deep compassion and clinical expertise. Our therapists are trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the evidence-based treatment specifically developed for self-harm and emotional dysregulation.
Recovery from self-harm isn't about willpower — it's about learning new skills to manage the overwhelming emotions that drive the behavior. And those skills can be learned.
Recognize the Warning Signs
Cutting, burning, hitting, or other deliberate self-injury
Using physical pain to cope with emotional distress
Hiding injuries with clothing or cover stories
Escalating severity or frequency over time
Feeling temporary relief followed by shame or guilt
Difficulty managing intense emotions without self-harm
Our Treatment Approach
Our program is built on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — the treatment with the strongest evidence base for self-harm. DBT teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
You'll learn concrete alternatives to self-harm for managing overwhelming emotions, including crisis survival strategies that provide immediate relief without self-injury.
We also address underlying conditions that commonly co-occur with self-harm: borderline personality features, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Treatment is collaborative, non-judgmental, and paced to your readiness.
Not sure if you need help?
Quick, confidential self-assessment based on the DSM-5 criteria.
Do you find yourself engaging in self-harm more frequently or more intensely than you intended?
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about getting started.
Self-harm shares addictive qualities — it can become compulsive, escalate over time, and feel impossible to stop. The neurological relief mechanism creates a cycle similar to behavioral addiction, which is why our approach includes addiction-informed treatment strategies.
If you're in immediate danger, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. For non-emergency support, our team is available to help you get started with treatment.
Absolutely. DBT is effective regardless of how long self-harm has been present. Many of our patients have struggled for years before finding treatment that works — and DBT consistently delivers results.
