Self-Mutilation Almost Killed This Young Woman

This wonderful person came to therapy due to her mom requesting help. She had a horribly history of being molested, and secrets she kept inside. Cutting was her outlet. Burning was her punishment to herself for what happened to her and not saying no. The reality was she was a little girl with no voice, scared, and abused. Carefully in therapy, we unraveled the details of her short and tormented life, placing every trauma into the proper context, and recognizing that she was no longer that little vulnerable girl but an almost adult who has a voice and a choice. We first reduced the cutting, then, we stopped it. 

She triumphed over the control she had now, where she used to think that cutting was her only control. She forgave herself for being little and not knowing what to do. She substituted exercise when she was feeling down and began to improve her self-esteem. She found herself through therapy, and a new will to live.