Adolescent Self-Injury Treatment: Parent Support

As difficult an experience as it is for adolescents to face and undergo treatment for a Mental Illness or Disorder, we understand that it is also a very difficult time for the parents as well. In the specific case of Adolescent Self-Injury Treatment, there are a number of different complicated factors at play that bring about an array of questions and concerns, not the least of which is, why are the teens are hurting themselves in the first place?  In our own treatment plans, we go to great lengths to support parents as best as possible, in both individual and family therapy sessions.  This page provides just a few pieces of advice we’ve learned throughout this time with parents at our treatment center.

First of all, your adolescent has an addiction.  Just as if they were addicted to a drug, they’re addicted to this behavior.  This is important to realize because so often parents are frustrated by their teens’ inability to just stop doing the harmful behavior.  It can be especially exasperating because often, the teens themselves understand well that what they’re doing is wrong, dangerous, and they may even sincerely want to stop.  Therefore, it’s important for you to remember that there’s nothing you can do to solve this immediately, and there’s not another parent that could.  Adolescent self-injury treatment is a thorough, all-encompassing process that involves addressing the big picture, not just the small behaviors.

Secondly, during Adolescent Self-Injury Treatment, do your best to be patient.  Your teen’s treatment team will probably be able to ensure very early on that the harmful behaviors stop, but the treatment process as a whole is complicated and takes time.  Help support your adolescents by being positive and being patient, and this will encourage them to be this way as well.

And third, respect your teen’s process.  Because it’s your kid that’s in treatment, it can be very difficult to have aspects of his/her disorder that you don’t understand and/or aren’t directly involved in.  Much of your teen’s treatment process will be shared and discussed with you, but other parts may remain something your teens have to dress as individuals, either alone or with their therapists.  The more you can show your teens that you support them and believe in them, trusting them with the difficult process before them, the better chance there is of your teens rising to the occasion, to take on this responsibility.

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