• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
integrity counseling logo

Couples, Teen, Adolescent, Child Counseling Therapy Vancouver WA

Integrity Counseling Center provides couples, teen, adolescent, child, and individual counseling services in Vancouver WA, Camas WA, Battle Ground WA

  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Services ⌄
    • Marriage Counseling
    • Teen Therapy
    • Child Therapy
    • Individual Women Therapy
    • Individual Men Therapy
    • Online Counseling Services in Washington State
  • Our Specialization ⌄
    • More ➤
      • Counseling for Military & Veterans
      • Adoption Counseling
      • Child Play Therapy
      • Counseling for College Students and Young Adults
      • Teen Anger Management
      • Teen Depression Therapy
      • Teen Cutting
      • Parent Therapy and Parent Coaching
    • Depression Counseling
    • Anxiety and Stress Therapy
    • Grief Counseling
    • Pregnancy and Infant Loss Counseling
    • Trauma and EMDR Therapy
    • Emotionally Focused Therapy
    • Christian Counseling
    • Older Adults Therapy
  • About Us ⌄
    • Olya Pavlishina, LMFT | Founder
    • About Jennifer Vulgan, LMHCA
    • Angela Rosson, LMHC
    • Cindy Holt, LICSW
    • Hannah Grabhorn, LMHCA
    • Diana Hoang, Therapist Intern
    • What Our Clients Say
  • Rates
  • Contact Us ⌄
    • Olya Pavlishina, LMFT
    • Jennifer Vulgan, LMFTA
    • Angela Rosson, LMHC
    • Cindy Holt, LICSW
    • Hannah Grabhorn, LMHCA
    • Diana Hoang, Therapist Intern
    • Contact Integrity Counseling
    • Web Support
  • More ⌄
    • Online Payment
    • Our Approach
    • What Our Clients Say
    • Common Questions
    • Teen’s Common Questions About Counseling
    • Join Our Team of Skilled Counselors
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Teen Cutting and Self-Harm Therapy

7 Warning Signs that Your Teen is Cutting

Written by Olya Pavlishina, LMFT

As you may already know, an epidemic of self-harm is occurring among teens.

Adolescents and even preteens are engaging in self-injury in record numbers.

Over 10% of our youth are thought to have experimented with cutting or other forms of self-mutilation.

What should you look for?

Since adolescents usually make an effort to cover up their self-harming behaviors, it can be tricky to confirm that a problem exists.

Being observant is key to uncovering early signs of self-harm.

Here is what you are looking for:

1. An abnormal number of cuts/burns on the wrists, arms, legs, hips or stomach;
2. A habit of wearing of long sleeves and pants even in warm weather;
3. Razors or knives left in strange locations;
4. Your teen locked away for long periods of time in their bedroom or bathroom;
5. Frequent ‘accidents’ that cause physical injury;
6. Stories or actual evidence that your teenager’s friends are self-mutilating;
7. Reluctance to be part of a social circle or social event.

How should you respond?

• Take the problem seriously. Acknowledge that this behavior is a cry for help and not simply attention-seeking behavior.
• Approach your teen calmly and lovingly. Reacting angrily may push your teen away.
• Listen to your child if they are ready to talk. Respond to their concerns with understanding and compassion.
• Express your love and concern to your teen.
• Seek professional help.

Can family therapy help with self-harm?

Research shows the most effective way to help a teen move past self-injury is individual and family therapy with an experienced counselor.

It is important to ask questions of a potential therapist to discover their process and success with helping other teens.

It also means that you, too, have the opportunity to see your teen heal when you participate in family therapy sessions.

A good counselor assists in opening up family communication that so often becomes closed down when your child enters their teens.

Can self-harm behavior become a chronic problem?

Self-injury is a behavior that over time becomes habitual, chronic and repetitive.

Like any of us with a bad habit, most self-harmers have a hard time saying “no” to their behavior – even when they realize it is unhealthy.

Once an adolescent is in the cycle of self-injury, the smallest things might trigger self-harm behaviors.

The best time to take action is now!

Connect with one of our teen counselors today!

Schedule Appointment Now ⧁

 

Not ready to schedule your first appointment yet?

Give us a call and we will be happy to answer your questions (360) 356-8756

Rates information is here.

We look forward to meeting you and your family!

 


All of our counselors are licensed in Washington State. Our counseling office is physically located in Vancouver, Washington. Our online therapy services are available to all residents in Washington State.

Categories: Counseling Vancouver WA, Teen Counseling

Primary Sidebar

Schedule an appointment
About Olya Pavlishina, LMFT

Olya Pavlishina, LMFT

Couples counseling
Teen counseling
child therapy
counseling for Women
counseling for Men
Rates

Explore more

Schedule an appointment
Integrity Counseling Center

Footer

Integrity Counseling

201 SE 124th Ave #203 Vancouver, WA 98684

Phone: (360) 356-8756 | Fax: (360) 208-0550

© 2008–2025 Integrity Counseling, INC · All Rights Reserved

Hours

Monday-Friday 9:00am-8:00pm;

Saturday 9:00am-12:30pm;

Sunday Closed.

  • Home
  • Wellness blog
  • Teen Counseling
  • Child Counseling
  • Couples Counseling
  • Trauma Therapy
  • Rates
  • Online Payment
  • Intake forms
  • Helpful Resources
  • What Our Clients Say
  • Integrity Counseling Feedback
  • Join Our Team