Self-Harm Therapy & Parent Support in San Clemente
Self-harm is rarely about wanting to die. Most often, it’s a way to cope with emotions that feel too big, too overwhelming, or too impossible to express. At Denney Family Therapy in San Clemente, we support children, teens, and adults who use self-harming behaviors—and the families who love them—with compassion, clarity, and trauma-informed care.
We focus on understanding what’s underneath the behavior, building emotional safety, and helping clients discover steadier ways to regulate their inner world. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Why People Self-Harm
Self-harm is not “attention-seeking.”
It’s not manipulation.
And it’s not something a person can simply “stop doing.”
Self-harm is often connected to:
intense anxiety or emotional overload
numbness or dissociation
perfectionism or pressure
trauma or painful memories
feeling unseen, misunderstood, or alone
faith, identity, or family conflict
shame and self-criticism
difficulty expressing or naming emotions
When someone is hurting on the inside, harming the body can feel like the only way to release pressure, feel something, or communicate an internal struggle they can’t put into words.
Our work together focuses on helping clients feel safe, supported, and understood long before we expect any behavioral change.
Support for Parents & Caregivers
When your child self-harms, it can feel terrifying.
Many parents blame themselves or worry they’ll say something wrong.
You don’t have to handle this alone.
We help parents:
understand what self-harm communicates
Respond with steadiness instead of panic
build trust and emotional connection
learn what helps and what doesn’t
support their child without walking on eggshells
navigate school, social, and family stress
repair ruptures and rebuild safety
Families heal faster when parents feel supported too.
For deeper relational work, explore our Family & Couples Therapy page.
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How We Support Children, Teens & Adults Who Self-Harm
Every person’s relationship with self-harm is different.
Our approach is tailored, trauma-informed, and grounded in deep emotional presence.
We focus on:
• Emotional Safety & Regulation
Helping clients understand their internal cues, build coping tools, and regulate intense feelings.
• Skill-Building & Nervous System Support
Using somatic strategies, grounding, parts work, attachment-based approaches, and mindfulness techniques.
• Trauma Processing When Needed
For clients whose self-harm is connected to trauma, we integrate EMDR therapy to help the body release what it’s been holding.
• De-shaming the Behavior
Clients heal best when they feel understood—not judged.
We help them explore what the behavior is doing for them and find safer ways to meet those needs.
• Identity & Faith Sensitivity
For clients dealing with religious trauma, spiritual pressure, or identity shifts, we offer safe, grounded support. Find out more here.
When to Seek Extra Support
Please reach out for support if you notice:
increasing severity of wounds
secrecy around self-harm supplies
withdrawal from friends or family
statements of hopelessness
sudden mood changes
difficulty managing daily stress
self-harm becoming more frequent or intense
If you’re worried about safety or suicidal intent, contact emergency services or crisis resources immediately.
How Self-Harm Healing Works in Therapy
Healing self-harm isn’t about forcing someone to stop the behavior.
It’s about helping them feel safe enough to not need it.
Our work may include:
understanding emotional patterns
building regulation skills
creating a personalized coping plan
exploring the story behind the behavior
repairing relational strain in the family
strengthening identity and internal resilience
practicing alternative coping strategies
integrating EMDR or parts work when ready
increasing nervous system capacity
Some clients also benefit from Walking Therapy in San Clemente (link to your page), where movement and nature create a calmer environment for processing.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone
Self-harm can feel overwhelming—for the person experiencing it and for the family supporting them. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to walk it alone.
Whether you're a parent seeking guidance, an adult carrying years of internal pain, or a teen trying to make sense of big emotions, we’ll meet you right where you are and move at a pace that feels safe.
Ready to Begin?
We offer in-person sessions in San Clemente and virtual support throughout California.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation or ask questions about getting started.
You’re not expected to have everything figured out. That’s why we’re here.