Life in my growing body
Self-harm can be a difficult topic to discuss with your friends, family, or even professionals. But it is a common practice among young people, and therefore an important behaviour to explore and understand. Some statistics report that one in ten young people engage in self-harm before the age of 20. Self-harm is the result of not knowing what to do in the midst of an emotional storm.
This program acknowledges the broad array of difficulties that adolescents and young people face. It aims to help with understanding the emotions that one experiences when confronted with such difficulties, and how to develop safe and healthy responses to managing them.
What is the root of Self-Harm?
Self-harm doesn’t look the same for everyone, but it is a common response to emotions that might feel unbearable. Often, those who engage in this behaviour describe it as ‘grounding’ or ‘relieving’. With a range of causes such as external stressors, internal distress, or a mixture of both, self-harming may feel like the only way to get a sense of control. It is therefore important to understand:
What purpose does my self-harm fulfil?
- What are the emotions that I am feeling in my body?
- What are the thoughts going through my mind?
- What tools can I use to cope with intense emotions?
These questions might be hard to answer now, but as we work through this program using well-known approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), we will learn more about intense emotions, and explore how to manage them.
About the program
This program uses the well-known psychological approaches of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to help adolescents learn about their intense emotional responses and how to manage them in safe and healthier ways. The program is put together by our group of four clinicians who each have more than ten years of research and clinical expertise.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Emotions are what make us human, and regulating them can be challenging!
ACT is about supporting a person to accept, rather than avoid, their emotions and thoughts. Avoiding your emotions or fearing them will only make them stronger and more out of control. During distressing situations, it is often difficult to embrace your feelings. ACT techniques help us to stay in the present so that we can be aware and commit to taking action on things that are in our control.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
DBT teaches us to focus on the present and to be mindful of our emotions, urges, thoughts, and senses. This mindfulness approach allows us to slow down and apply useful strategies to regulate, soothe, and improve our mental state.
DBT has many techniques that are used in numerous settings, and it is incredibly powerful for helping each individual with their specific circumstances and what they need.
Who is the program for?
This program is useful for adolescents and young adults who experience intense emotions which are difficult to regulate. These people might, or might not have experienced anxiety, depression, or self-harm.
This program is for people experiencing mild to moderate levels of distress. Young people experiencing severe emotional distress might be guided to have a number of individual sessions first to support them and address some personal needs before commencing therapy in a group setting.
The group will run for 8 to 10 weeks.
Each group will consist of 4 to 8 persons.
Young people will be grouped together based on their ages.
Three age groups are available:
15 to 16-year-olds, 17 to 19-year-olds, and 20-year-olds and above.
Dates & Schedule
- Our new term will start on the 24th of January and will run for 10 sessions
Fees
- Fees are $100 per session (Fees might differ based on the level of need. If you are using NDIS, please check with the clinic).
- Full payment is required no later than two weeks before starting the group. A Medicare rebate of $23 per session may be available—you will need to check with the clinic.
