Many people who experience chronic, high stress or intense anxiety find a sense of relief and release by triggering a strong physiological response. This might express itself in a more mild behavior like a nervous jitter or tic, or in extreme cases, self-harm. Controlling how and what the body feels physically can feel like a way to control something when the rest of life is spinning out of control. Teens navigating new phases of life are particularly at risk. The waves of new emotions and responsibilities that come with being a teen are overwhelming and can often feel isolating. Navigating relationships, dealing with bullying, and self-esteem issues are just a few of the situations that can leave a teen feeling like they have nowhere to turn. With no emotional release valve, self-harm or cutting may seem like the only way to feel something. For many, self-harm is just that, a release. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to die. It also does not mean that there is something inherently wrong with the person. It means that they are desperately looking for a way to control and release their feelings and have run out of other options. So what does that mean for those of us who want to help? It means that the person you know who might be struggling with self-harm doesn’t want to feel that way either. It means it is OK to gently ask what is going on in their life, and how you can help. Self-harm and cutting should be taken seriously, and should not be ignored. Left untreated, cutting and physical self hurt can have long term negative consequences, including hospitalization. When someone is engaging in cutting, burning, or other harming acts they aren't thinking about long-term secondary outcomes like infection of the wound, or cutting in the same spot repeatedly, accidentally going deep enough to hit main arteries or organs. These are not usual for teens cutting or self-harming, but if their self harm site needs medical attention they are also usually filled with shame and fear of judgement to disclose what they have been doing and are less likely to access medical attention. If you know someone who is struggling with self-harm, see if you can help them get in contact with a trained mental health professional. Don’t focus on the self-harm behavior, remember that is the symptom not the problem. Focus on the emotions and normalize that seeing a professional can help address them and can help teach them new ways of relieving their emotional turmoil and stress. Asking for help when you feel anxious or overwhelmed can feel like too much for some people, but having someone notice they need help and who takes proactive steps to help goes a long way in helping overcome the sense of isolation that often goes along with self-harm.
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August 2023
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1025 Village Lane, Chico CA 95926
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930 Executive Way, Ste 125, Redding CA 96002
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Inspired Life Counseling is not a crisis center and is not equipt with the necessary tools to help in an emergency. Please click below for more information if you or your loved one is in crisis: Crisis Information.
Inspired Life Counseling
Inspired Life Counseling is owned and directed by Jessica Wilkerson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #104464.
Office Hours: By Appointment ContactContact us!
Inspired Life Counseling is owned and directed by Jessica Wilkerson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #104464.
Office Hours: By Appointment ContactContact us!
MISSION: To provide a tranquil and healing space in which people in our community can find calmness internally through the relaxing atmosphere along with respectful and engaging therapy conversations. To contribute to happier and more secure families by helping individuals, couples, and teens heal within and thereby creating different ways of engaging with themselves, the world, and those they love.
VISION: Creating a new kind of therapy experience in the Chico area in which therapists have smaller caseloads, giving them the flexibility to spend more time with clients as needed - longer sessions, phone calls, client centered advocacy. Creating a space in our community where clients can go between sessions just to sit, linger, and re-center themselves when they're having difficult days. A place to belong while they heal their hearts and relationships. A therapy office that embodies the unconditional love of Christ no matter what a person's gender identity, romantic disposition, or previous life hardships, experiences, or actions might have been. To be a safe place.
VISION: Creating a new kind of therapy experience in the Chico area in which therapists have smaller caseloads, giving them the flexibility to spend more time with clients as needed - longer sessions, phone calls, client centered advocacy. Creating a space in our community where clients can go between sessions just to sit, linger, and re-center themselves when they're having difficult days. A place to belong while they heal their hearts and relationships. A therapy office that embodies the unconditional love of Christ no matter what a person's gender identity, romantic disposition, or previous life hardships, experiences, or actions might have been. To be a safe place.
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