Self harm is typical within the LGBTQ community, especially the transgender and queer community. Self harm may start as young as a person realizes that the identity they were assigned does not match the identity that they actually are. What we understand at Inspire Recovery is that self harm is one of the many symptoms of the trauma of gender dysphoria that in time with the interventions that we provide may decrease. Self harm within our community currently includes cutting and burning. We have many interventions that we utilize to help our clients feel more congruent as fast as possible that decreased symptoms including self harm.
“Many of the people who self-harm can not afford a therapist, if they could then they might not be self-harming. However, one-on-one therapy is a significant part of getting to the root cause of any addictive behavior.
Research shows that group therapy is also an important part of the healing process. At Inspire Recovery, the groups that I attended were instrumental in me feeling comfortable attending and sharing at 12 step meetings. Some groups were art-based, while others taught about controlling my emotions and how to cope when I got cravings.
Systems of support aid the individual to continue to commit to abstaining from their drug or addicted behavior of choice. This is what is also good about the design of working the 12 steps with a sponsor. You get that one-on-one attention that is needed.”
