Teen Self-Harm Treatment Center in Texas

Comprehensive Treatment for Self-Harm at Clearfork Academy

Self-harm, or self-injury, is the expression of a psychological impulse control disorder that causes people to physically hurt themselves in order to experience relief from emotional or mental distress. Adolescent self-harm is higher than self-harm in any other age group, and intervention is often needed to prevent these behaviors, teach healthy and effective coping skills, and deal with emotional triggers.

While self-harm may induce an initial release of tension, it is typically followed by shame, guilt, and the return of painful emotions. At Clearfork Academy, our specialized programs address self-harm by considering the underlying issues that are deeply rooted beneath the surface. Without treatment, core issues will never be effectively addressed. Through consistent support and guidance, our exceptional team is committed to helping teens find a healthier, happier life beyond the grips of self-harm. 
Our network of behavioral health centers for teens provides:

• Evidence-based mental health therapies 
• Trauma-informed care
• Medication Management
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Creative Arts Therapies 
• Integrated wellness activities  
• Physical fitness and outdoor recreation
• Faith-based track (optional)

Once leaving treatment, teens will be equipped with mental resilience, which empowers them to take back control of their lives. If you believe your teen is dealing with self-harm and mental health issues, contact us today to discuss how we can support you. 

What Is Self-harm?

Self-harm, also known as self-injury, is when a person actively hurts themselves. In most cases, individuals inflict pain upon themselves to deal with painful emotions or psychological trauma from past experiences.

Although not a mental illness, the urge to self-injure is often associated with a range of mental health issues, such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder. Self-harming is a maladaptive behavior that stems from unhealthy coping strategies.

The main difference between self-harm and suicidal behavior is the intent. Non-suicidal self-injury is carried out with the intention to cause pain to oneself, whereas suicide is an attempt to end one’s life. While both will stem from emotional triggers, self-harm is a coping mechanism to replace emotional pain with physical pain. Suicide is an attempt to end this pain, as individuals who attempt suicide often feel like things will never improve.

It may seem counter-intuitive that someone making visible marks on themselves would go to great lengths to hide self-injury, but more often than not, this is the case.  However, there are some warning signs to look out for, including:

• Visible marks, such as cuts, scratches, or burns
• Pulling their hair out or punching themself 
• Weather inappropriate clothing, long sleeves in hot weather, or refusal to take part in activities that require less clothing, e.g., swimming
• Noticeable symptoms of increased anxiety or depression

What Causes Self-Harm in Teens? 

Trauma and negative emotions can be difficult to navigate at any age, let alone in the developmental stages of your life. Although there is no single factor behind the impulse to self-injure, the behaviors may result from:

Existing mental health conditions: Anxiety, depression, or personality disorders may cause self-harm. Often, one mental health condition will tie into one another, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact cause.

Abuse: Physical or mental abuse can be a trigger for self-injury. Often abuse makes teens or young adults feel ashamed, which causes them to self-harm to either punish themselves or attempt to forget.

Emotional pain: Self-harm can be triggered by emotional troubles or may be an attempt to cope with extremely stressful situations.