Photo of Can Buyukasik, Psychiatrist in New York, NY
Can Buyukasik
Psychiatrist, MD
Verified Verified
New York, NY 10128
I am a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist board-certified in both child-adolescent and adult specialties. My expertise lies in talk and play based psychoanalytic psychotherapies for adults, children of all ages, families and couples in addition to medication-based psychiatric treatment and cognitive models of psychotherapy. My approach is based on tailoring treatment based on your individual needs, strengths and vulnerabilities.
I am a psychotherapist and a psychiatrist board-certified in both child-adolescent and adult specialties. My expertise lies in talk and play based psychoanalytic psychotherapies for adults, children of all ages, families and couples in addition to medication-based psychiatric treatment and cognitive models of psychotherapy. My approach is based on tailoring treatment based on your individual needs, strengths and vulnerabilities.
(646) 963-2472 View (646) 963-2472
Self-Harming Psychiatrists

How does therapy for self-harm work?

A person may turn to self-injury so that they can distract themselves from their stress, depression, anxiety, or upsetting circumstances. Therapy can address the cause of an individual’s suffering. A therapist can help a person understand why they may want to self-harm and help the person learn new methods of coping. A person may have poor emotion regulation, and treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful for breaking this behaviour. In addition, treatment such as dialectical behavior therapy can help a person manage their tolerance of distress.

Which therapies are best for self-harm?

Specific approaches used by professionals include cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, psychodynamic, and mentalisation-based therapies, among others. Cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies are common approaches for people who have painful thoughts and past traumas. These therapies help an individual cope with distress, regulate emotions, and manage impulsive urges.

Does the tendency to self-harm mean the person is suicidal?

Having this urge does not mean the individual suffers from suicidal ideation. People who want to self-injure look to distract or alleviate themselves from the pain they are experiencing. People with suicidal tendencies want to end life altogether. However, this does not mean a person with the intent to self-harm will not attempt suicide.

How often and how long are therapy sessions for self-harm?

As with any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual. Clients may see improvement within 20 sessions, at an average of 50 minutes per session, while others may opt for 20 to 30 sessions over, maybe, a six-month period. People, especially those with co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety, may need to continue therapy for up to 12 to 18 months.