[jazzy123456]

After a month and a half I finally had a session this week. Crazy thing is, my therapist threatened to tell someone of authority about the fact that I cut my stomach...that is, until I told her I wouldn't ever do it again as long as I am her client...I thought therapists were somewhat used to hearing stuff like that; I didn't want her to get worried to that extent, where she would think I am in true danger...I mean, I've hurt myself before, but I always know my limits and I don't cross them...I wonder if she knew EXACTLY how bad the cuts were if she would react...they weren't deep enough to cause serious damage...they were just on the surface of my skin...like if someone cut themselves from shaving...but, she said, it doesn't matter how I did it or how much...all that matters is that I did do it. I thought someone might know about therapists reactions to this. I asked her what other therapists do in this same situation and she said she didn't know. It makes me wonder how many clients shes worked with who have self-injured...thats not my primary concern at all, for being in therapy, but, it makes me wonder. I feel bad for upsetting her.!!!! please don't make me feel too guilty by your responses!

[Sannah]

I think the most helpful responses from therapists are the understanding ones and the responses that are for trying to figure out why you did it. The responses that are alarmist or where they are upset or are punishing or controlling are not helpful in my opinion.

Will you feel up to talking to her about this?

[jazzy123456]

Originally Posted by Sannah

I think the most helpful responses from therapists are the understanding ones and the responses that are for trying to figure out why you did it. The responses that are alarmist or where they are upset or are punishing or controlling are not helpful in my opinion.

Will you feel up to talking to her about this?

Well, she was alarmed for a minute or two and then she asked me why I did it. and yeah I have to talk with her. cuz, I feel too guilty about this one!

[sugahorse1]

I'm glad you could bring it up with T - please try and get to the bottom of it. I hope she is no longer alarmed. A T needs to be reassuring and cannot threaten you - it will break all trust

[ballet_girl]

In my experience, my therapist has always asked me a lot of questions about where I do it and how deep. She asks me if I feel safe (meaning that I don't feel the urge to cut really deep or in a place that could be dangerous) and tells me that I need to tell her if anything changes.

I believe that in most places, the only time a therapist is required to tell somebody is when they determine that you are in immediate danger, but I'm not 100% positive. Maybe you can ask your therapist what her limits are for determining that?