You deserve understanding, especially on the hardest days.
When feelings become overwhelming, numb or difficult to express, self-harm may become one way of coping. You can talk about it without being judged. Together, we can consider your safety, what matters to you and the right kind of support.
If you need help right now.
If you are seriously injured, have taken an overdose, or cannot keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help that is not an emergency: in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option; in Scotland, NHS 24 is on 111; in Wales, contact NHS 111 Wales; and in Northern Ireland, Lifeline is on 0808 808 8000. You do not need to wait for a therapy appointment.
There isn't one explanation for self-harm. There isn't one story.
For some people, self-harm is linked to anxiety, anger, sadness or feeling trapped. For others, it may be associated with numbness, shame, difficult memories or an attempt to feel some control. Sometimes the reasons are hard to put into words.
Whatever your experience, it deserves to be taken seriously. You should not have to prove how distressed you are before somebody listens. Nor should you be reduced to a behaviour when there is a whole person, with a life and circumstances, behind it.
Self-harm does not always mean someone intends to die. It can, however, be associated with increased suicide risk, which is why an individual conversation about safety and appropriate assessment is so important.
It's often the distress that needs the greatest attention.
When an urge to self-harm appears, it may follow feelings that have been building for some time—or arrive suddenly after a painful event. Understanding what happens around those moments can create space for more supportive responses.
This is not about assuming every experience has the same cause. It is about noticing what matters to you and taking that seriously.
Overwhelm
Pressure, fear or anger may become difficult to contain or explain.
Disconnection
Some people describe feeling numb, isolated or cut off from themselves.
Self-criticism
Shame and harsh internal messages can leave little room for kindness.
Finding support
With the right help, the focus can shift towards safety, understanding and more workable coping.
Small, safer steps can help you through the next few minutes.
These ideas may provide a little breathing room. They are not a replacement for assessment, treatment or urgent help if you are at risk.
Tell someone
Contact a person you trust, a trained listener or a healthcare professional. You do not need to explain everything perfectly.
Give the moment space
Where possible, move into a safe, shared place and try a gentle distraction, a walk, music or calm breathing while the feeling changes.
Get the right support
If you are injured, worried about your safety or the urge feels unmanageable, seek NHS or emergency help promptly rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
See NHS advice on managing urges and the support directory below.
Having a plan can make a difficult moment less lonely.
A safety plan is a practical, personalised guide developed with a suitable healthcare professional, or alongside your existing mental health team. It can help you recognise early warning signs and know whom to contact before distress grows.
You do not have to devise it alone or get every detail right immediately. The most useful plans are collaborative, realistic and available when they're needed.
NICE guidance on safety planningRecognise: your own changes in thoughts, feelings or situations that signal extra support may be needed.
Respond: gentle coping and calming strategies that are appropriate for you.
Connect: the people, services and safe places you can turn to.
Escalate: clear urgent and emergency contacts for moments when you may not be able to stay safe.
Talking, understanding and building safer ways forward.
My therapeutic approach draws on Solution Focused psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, NLP-informed techniques and CBT-informed thinking skills. For self-harm, the first question is always whether this work is appropriate and safe alongside any clinical assessment or specialist support you may need.
Solution Focused psychotherapy
A collaborative conversation about strengths, support networks, situations that feel a little more manageable, and the small changes you want in everyday life. This can help shape goals without minimising current distress.
CBT-informed understanding
Where appropriate, we can explore the links between thoughts, feelings, situations and responses. Importantly, this is not the same as a specialist, structured CBT intervention specifically designed to treat self-harm, which NICE recommends for adults.
Clinical hypnosis
Hypnosis may be considered as an optional relaxation or focused-attention component for suitable concerns. There is insufficient evidence to present hypnotherapy as an established treatment for preventing self-harm, and it must not replace recommended care.
NLP-informed techniques
Selected exercises may help with perspective, grounding or self-talk if they suit the person. NLP is not an established evidence-based treatment for self-harm itself; its role here is limited and secondary to safety and appropriate specialist care.
We can start by deciding what support is right for you.
A consultation should be a chance to speak freely, explain what has been happening and ask questions—not a promise of a particular therapy or number of sessions.
We may talk about current safety concerns, any NHS or specialist support already involved, your goals and whether this practice is appropriate. If self-harm is active, escalating or associated with significant risk, assessment and a coordinated plan through appropriate healthcare professionals take priority.
When clinically suitable, any therapy should be collaborative and can complement, rather than replace, recommended treatment. Online work also requires particular attention to safety arrangements and access to local help.
Confidentiality is important, but not absolute. Safeguarding and serious safety concerns can create a duty to share relevant information. We should discuss those limits openly at the outset.
Helplines, charities and specialist self-harm support.
There is no reason to rely on one person or one service. These verified organisations offer different forms of listening, specialist information and peer support. Some are available around the clock; others have set hours or eligibility criteria.
Samaritans
Free listening support, 24 hours a day throughout the UK.
Shout
Free, confidential 24/7 UK text support from trained volunteers.
Sift
Specialist self-harm listening support. Phone Mon, Tue, Thu 6–9pm; text 07537 432444 weekdays 6–9pm.
Battle Scars
Survivor-led peer support, including UK-wide virtual groups for adults.
Harmless
Specialist information, practical guidance and signposting. Not a 24-hour crisis line.
Mind
Clear information on treatment, support, coping and helping other people.
Childline
Confidential support for children and young people under 19.
PAPYRUS HOPELINE247
For people under 35 with thoughts of suicide and those concerned about them. Text HOPE to 88247. 24/7.
C.A.L.L. Wales
Free, bilingual mental health listening and signposting service, 24 hours.
Breathing Space
For people aged 16+ in Scotland. Mon–Thu 6pm–2am; Fri 6pm–Mon 6am.
Lifeline Northern Ireland
Free 24/7 crisis support for people experiencing distress or despair.
NHS self-harm support
Information on speaking to your GP, assessments and available treatment.
Verified against official or NHS-listed information on 2 November 2026. Helpline details and opening hours can change; please check each organisation's website. Listening services and peer groups are not emergency medical services. For immediate danger, call 999.
If someone you care about is self-harming.
Hearing that somebody you care about has hurt themselves can bring fear, confusion or a strong urge to make everything better immediately.
You do not need to have all the answers. It may help to listen calmly, avoid judgement or ultimatums, ask how they would like to be supported and encourage appropriate professional help. If there is immediate danger, seek emergency care.
Supporters can need support too. Charities including Battle Scars, NHS and Mind have useful information.
Some things you may want to know.
There are no trivial questions here. If a concern feels too personal for a form or email, we can discuss a safer way to talk.
Do I need to stop self-harming before asking for help?
No. You can ask for help whether you have self-harmed, are experiencing urges or are worried that you might. We will discuss immediate safety, the support you already have and what care is appropriate.
Does self-harm always mean someone wants to die?
No. People self-harm for many different reasons, and it does not always indicate an intention to die. However, self-harm and suicidal thoughts can overlap, so a thoughtful conversation about safety and specialist assessment matters.
Can hypnotherapy treat self-harm?
Hypnotherapy is not an established first-line treatment for self-harm itself. Where clinically appropriate, relaxation or hypnosis may have a limited complementary role for concerns such as stress, but they should never replace a psychosocial assessment, an individual safety plan or recommended specialist psychological treatment.
How do Solution Focused psychotherapy and NLP fit in?
Solution Focused conversations can help explore strengths, supportive people and manageable steps. NLP-informed techniques may be used selectively for coping or perspective, but there is limited evidence for NLP as a treatment for self-harm. Whether any work is suitable is considered case by case.
What psychological treatments are recommended after self-harm?
NICE recommends a structured, person-centred CBT-informed intervention tailored to adults who self-harm. For some young people with frequent self-harm and emotional dysregulation, specialist DBT adapted for adolescents may be considered. Your GP or mental health team can advise on an appropriate assessment and care pathway.
Will everything I say remain confidential?
Therapy is private and handled sensitively, but confidentiality is not absolute. Where there are serious concerns about your safety, the safety of another person or safeguarding duties, information may need to be shared appropriately. These limits should be explained to you at the outset.
Can I book online therapy from elsewhere in the UK?
Online appointments can be discussed with people across the UK. Whether an online session is appropriate depends on individual safety, clinical needs, available local support and the ability to agree an appropriate plan.
What if I have already hurt myself?
If you have serious injuries, have taken an overdose or cannot keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. If you need urgent mental health help but there is no immediate danger, contact an appropriate NHS urgent service or your GP. Do not wait for a routine therapy appointment.
Can a parent, partner or friend find help here?
Yes. The page includes resources for people who are worried about somebody they care about. You can offer calm, non-judgemental support and help them access a GP, specialist service or urgent care if needed.
What if I am unsure this is the right service?
A free consultation can explore your questions and help identify whether this practice is suitable. If specialist self-harm treatment, medical assessment or an urgent mental health service would better meet your needs, we will say so openly.
You can ask for support without having everything worked out.
If you're looking for non-judgemental conversation and help thinking through your options, a free consultation can be a starting point. We can discuss your circumstances and whether this service is suitable, including when specialist assessment or treatment would be more appropriate.