When a parent discovers that a teenager in the home has been inflicting self-harm, this is a distressing moment. Parents typically feel terrible about their child’s emotional pain and don’t understand what is causing the compulsion for self-injury. Counseling services in Denver, CO, can help the young person who is engaging in this behavior as well as the rest of the family.
Teenagers often are skilled at hiding their emotional troubles and their self-injury activity from parents and siblings. Girls are more likely to self-harm than boys are. The most common self-injury behaviors among girls include cutting or burning the skin.
The youngster may appreciate the opportunity to talk with a counselor, but some teens are wary of the possibility. Parents must not waver in their commitment to their teenager’s mental health. The son or daughter might be primarily worried about privacy. Everyone should provide honest reassurance that what is told to the counselor is held in confidence.
For teenagers who are accepting of group sessions, this can be especially helpful for discussing family dynamics that could contribute to negative emotional issues. Parents often are surprised at the problems mentioned that they were unaware of. Mothers and fathers also can benefit from scheduling their own private sessions with counseling services in Denver, CO. There could be troubles in the family unit that nobody has been acknowledging.
With assistance from a mental health therapist, the teenager and the entire family get back on track emotionally. Help is available at The Catalyst Center, INC, which provides information about services.