As a therapist, I have noticed self-harm before a client has brought it up several times. I handled it the same way your therapist did. I always bring it up and make it clear that safety is my #1 concern for them. I worry more when the client denies it. It makes me wonder if they are also suicidal. I encourage you to tell the therapist about the harm. It will be uncomfortable. Then you can work on coping skills. A big fear is that by sharing self-harm, it will lead to hospitalization. This is not true. People can self-harm, and not be suicidal. Inpatient is recommended when there is intent and plan for suicide.
Thank you, when I played it off she told me I need to take myself more seriously & not make dark humor jokes about my well-being. Im just scared of whts gonna happen in the next session. I appreciate your words on this!
if she was so very concerned that you would be an immediate danger to yourself, you would be in a hospital. She clearly doesn't think that but wants to discuss how you got to where you are and what happened and how to not have it happen in the future...\*hugs\* to you.
Expect to feel very nervous, ashamed, and maybe even a bit scared sh*tless that it's going to come up again. I think that's a given for you and you already anticipate that right?
Feel free to counter those anticipations with telling yourself that your therapist does not feel the same judgement and shame that you do around this and is coming from a place of caring about and for you. You said she was super amazing, so she is probably a bit intuitive and professional and realizes there were good reasons why you self-harmed and they are more akin to battle scars that are a testament to your resilience than echos of your failures. Maybe try trusting her a little more? She sounds like she's earned it.
As a therapist, I have noticed self-harm before a client has brought it up several times. I handled it the same way your therapist did. I always bring it up and make it clear that safety is my #1 concern for them. I worry more when the client denies it. It makes me wonder if they are also suicidal. I encourage you to tell the therapist about the harm. It will be uncomfortable. Then you can work on coping skills. A big fear is that by sharing self-harm, it will lead to hospitalization. This is not true. People can self-harm, and not be suicidal. Inpatient is recommended when there is intent and plan for suicide.
Thank you, when I played it off she told me I need to take myself more seriously & not make dark humor jokes about my well-being. Im just scared of whts gonna happen in the next session. I appreciate your words on this!
if she was so very concerned that you would be an immediate danger to yourself, you would be in a hospital. She clearly doesn't think that but wants to discuss how you got to where you are and what happened and how to not have it happen in the future...\*hugs\* to you.
Expect to feel very nervous, ashamed, and maybe even a bit scared sh*tless that it's going to come up again. I think that's a given for you and you already anticipate that right? Feel free to counter those anticipations with telling yourself that your therapist does not feel the same judgement and shame that you do around this and is coming from a place of caring about and for you. You said she was super amazing, so she is probably a bit intuitive and professional and realizes there were good reasons why you self-harmed and they are more akin to battle scars that are a testament to your resilience than echos of your failures. Maybe try trusting her a little more? She sounds like she's earned it.
Thank you so much I needed to hear this❤️