Question...

I hope this isn't too sensitive a topic to ask .. but I was wondering about something. I have a relatively new T and so there are still things that she doesn't know about me .. and i've never told anyone this before, but sometimes i cut when i'm really upset ... and part of me wants to tell her this, but the other part of me is scared that i will get in "trouble" or something. I'm over 18 but i was wondering if this could some how get back to my parents ... or if the T would be forced to do something about it? .... if anyone has any thoughts, that would be great. thanks.

I think you should tell her. Unless she feels that you are at risk for suicide I wouldn't think she could tell anyone.

Telling her about it would really help you though; you need to talk about why you do it so you can get help to stop.

If you are over 18 the only people your therapist has to tell depending on your therapy agencys protocals is his/her supervisor and or refer you to the local ER because here in the USA a person who is a danger to themself and or others is basically committing a crime.

MY therapist knows that I self injure. and this therapy agencys protocal on it isthat the person must be referred to the local ER if the suicide attempt and or cutting attempt is made within the past 24 hours of seeing the therapist. Which is why I do not for the most part discuss my self injury behaviour with my therapist. She knows I do it and she knows I am working on it and how I am working on it, but I will not put her in the position of having to follow this states law and the agencys protocal for self injury/ suicidal behavior by showing her or telling her about any self injury acts with in 24 hours of seeing her. To do so would put her in a very hard position of following my wishes not to be hospitalized due to the fact that I was raped on a mental health unit or following the state law and the agencys protocal. So instead I let her know that I do self injure from time to time and that I am working on lessening how much I do it and how I am accomplishing that and both her and I leave it at that.

At your intake appointment you might have recieved a paper about the agencys privacy confidentiality protocals. Usually how they have to hande suicide and self injury are included on that paper. You can look at your paperwork and or ask her what the state law and the agwencys protocals are on such behaviours and she/ he will tell you what you need to know to decide if you want to tell the therapist or not at this time.

You could ask your T what she thinks of self harm. Rather than the act itself, the reason behind the desire or need to self harm is important. If what she answers isn't suitable, then you will need to stay away from disclosing and work on the reasons why. I'm sure she will work with you on changing any bad habit.

TC

My doctors still don't know I cut. You can tell her, but what you do not say will not hurt!

Hey.
If it is non-lethal (not very much risk of being lethal) then she shouldn't really have an obligation to tell anyone. There are quite a number of people who self harm. For a variety of reasons. Possible reasons (not exhaustive) include:

- To feel calmer / more grounded
- To regulate intense distress
- To outwardly express inward pain

etc etc.

She will probably want to talk to you and try and try and help you figure out (if you don't already know) *why* you do it (what the effects are that sustains it).

And then you guys can work on alternative ways of achieving the same effect...

Thanks for your replies everyone ... I'm still not sure what i'm going to do ... but I think that i might wait a bit. I don't really know my T all that well yet anyways ..

It really is important to tell your T about your symptoms. How can they help us if we keep secrets from them? Therapists will use their own judgement and will not report you to the authorities or otherwise break confidentiality or restrict your freedom if they don't have reason to believe that you or someone else is actually in danger. You can always phrase it hypothetically at first to find out how your T would deal with self injury.

Rap

((((((Jacq))))))))

Sorry I didn't see this earlier!

I told my last T about my SIng - she was fine with it. They won't report you unless you're clearly a danger to yourself. Might make you sign a contract or something saying if you feel the need to SI that you will try to do some sort of coping mechanism or phone someone but thats about it.

Some T's aren't experienced with it and might not make a deal out of it (almost ignore it) but it always helps to be as honest as possible.

*HUGS* please take care and PM me whenever.

I would be honest with your T. My T didn't have to report it if she did not feel I was at risk of severly hurting myself (for her that meant in danger of dying).

All T's that I have had made me sign a sheet before therapy that explains their guidelines. I would consider asking to read that again.

Also most T's seem like they will try to work with their client on issues while avoiding mandatory laws. A good way to approach the issue might be to phrase it hypothetically, or ask if your T has specific protocol she has to follow with clients who self injure.

It is important to be honest with your T though, especially if you expect them to be able to help you.

Good luck

I would tell her if only because it's weighing on your mind. Getting it off your chest and observing her reaction and how you like/dislike it could be very helpful to you in your relationship with her. I don't think it will get back to your parents or cause problems at the moment?

Hmmm... Okay, thanks so much for your thoughts guys. I've given it a lot more thought, and i think that i'm going to tell her. I have my next appointment on Friday .. so we will see how that goes!

Hello I hope you are doing well at this time. I am glad that you are making a good decision to tell your therapist about the cutting, I think your therapy will be better for you if the therapist knows the truth about the cutting. I am also going to leave you 2 hotline numbers to call if you need to talk to someone in person, if you get upset 1-800-273-TALK and 1-800-DONT-CUT. I hope the best for you in your therapy and your recovery sincerely Soidhonia