Self-Injury Support Group

Whether you or someone you know or love struggles with self-injury, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, meet others going through the same, and get advice on how to stop. Working together, we can help find alternative coping skills to reduce the urge to self-harm.

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Incognita 09/27/2012

For those of you who are seeing therapists/counselors, how did you approach the whole topic of SI in your discussions?

I haven't "cut" in 6+ years. I've had a few relapses where I've scratched through the years, but all my scars are gone.

Tomorrow I have my first appointment with my counselor/therapist person and I dont know if I want to bring this up in the first appointment, but I know that were supposed to be trying to figure out if we can work together.

I am trying to make a list of topics to cover since I cant seem to collect my thoughts on this, and SI is definitely something that has been on my mind a lot lately and might be one of the topics I want to discuss.

Any suggestions?

deleted_user 09/27/2012

They will probably just ask you. They have a series of questions that they have to ask you on the first apt. Like, if you hurt yourself, have an eating disorder, things about your family, have every tried to kill yourself, get suicidal, stuff like that. So when she asked me I just said yeah and it was on to the next question. The first day isn't really therapy, just questions.

deleted_user 09/27/2012

They also ask stuff like, if your straight, gay, bit... if you smoke, drink, do drugs, past abuse, attacks, relationships, traumas, if your in school, jobs, and such.

Incognita 09/28/2012

When I called her asking about appointments I expressed that I needed an LGBT friendly counselor and also asked if she had experience with PTSD and domestic violence. I had just had a flashback the week before when I called her so I wanted someone who could address those topics, so Im sure she noted that.

If shes just going to ask questions I suppose thats less intimidating, but I still dont know if I want to open up about everything or if I should just skirt the subjects. I suppose I'm just really nervous/scared about tomorrow.

Thank you for talking to me LoveLittleLucy. I appreciate it. :)

deleted_user 09/28/2012

I suggest telling her everything and if she delves too deep just say you aren't comfortable talking about it in detail yet.

Incognita 09/28/2012

NW: I've been trying to make an "outline" of things to talk about but it's hard because I'm actually in a "calm" state of mind atm. If I was under stress this would be so much easier. Gah! >.>

Thank you for your words of rational awesomeness. :D

deleted_user 09/28/2012

well... sit with a pice of paper and think about your life... what parts of it make you who you are? who do you WANT to be?-- what is in your way of being that person? don't overthink it... just cover the basics and other stuff will come up as needed. just breath... therapists are a GOOD thing... you are interviewing HER.

Incognita 10/02/2012

I just wanted to say thanks again to you both for helping comfort me with my anxiety with this last week. I'm feeling less intimidated about it now. :)

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