Hi Roseleigh,

Have you talked with your T about your self-injury? Does s/he know about your self-injury and how severe it is right now? I know it can be very difficult to discuss these topics, but it is really important. It may be necessary to change the pace of your therapy. Sometimes slowing down the intensity of therapy can really help, or changing topics for awhile and working on a different goal entirely - how to develop better coping tools for feelings and create some alternatives for when you feel like hurting yourself. I used to self-injure (over 6 years ago), and for me, I realized that I just had to make the commitment to stop, that it was sort of like an addiction. I had to get rid of anything I might use to hurt myself, and distract myself any time I might think of hurting myself with a safer activity - maybe going for a walk, watching a movie, doing crafts (I like to crochet), talking to a friend, even coloring. Sometimes if I'm really upset I will rip paper; for me that can help me get rid of upset feelings. Writing or journaling also helps. Different things work for different people in terms of what helps them cope. I hope you can talk with your counselor about these things and your struggles right now. There are ways to change. It's not easy, I know, and still it can be done. I am sending caring wishes your way.

Thinking of you,
ErinBear