Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts

When emotional pain becomes too much to bear, self-harm or suicidal thoughts can sometimes feel like the only way to cope. These responses are not uncommon, especially in the face of trauma, shame, depression, or overwhelming stress. While it can feel frightening or isolating, please know: you don’t have to go through this alone.

At Aligned Mindset Therapy, we provide a non-judgmental, confidential space where you can begin to unpack what's really going on beneath the surface. Together, we work at your pace, gently exploring the pain you're carrying and helping you find safer, more sustainable ways to cope.

Understanding Self-Harm & Suicidal Thoughts

Self-harm isn’t about attention-seeking—it’s often a way of trying to survive emotional intensity. People may hurt themselves to:

Express or manage feelings they can’t put into words
Feel in control when life feels chaotic
Cope with numbness, dissociation, or inner turmoil
Punish themselves due to deep-seated guilt or self-hate

Suicidal thoughts, similarly, can feel like the mind’s attempt to end unbearable pain—not necessarily a desire to die, but a desperate wish for relief. Therapy offers space to explore this honestly, without fear or shame.

How Counselling & Psychotherapy Can Help

Our approach is gentle, trauma-aware, and personalised to your needs. You don’t have to talk about anything you’re not ready to. Healing takes time—but therapy can offer both immediate relief and long-term change.

Through therapy, you can:

Make sense of your emotions – Learn to identify, understand, and express difficult feelings like anger, sadness, shame, or emptiness.
Understand your coping mechanisms – Explore why self-harm or suicidal thoughts show up, without blame or fear of judgment.
Develop healthier strategies – Build tools to manage distress, regulate emotions, and stay grounded during triggering moments.
Work through trauma and past experiences – Gently process the roots of your pain, whether from childhood, bullying, loss, abuse, or neglect.
Cultivate self-worth and hope – Reconnect with your inner strengths, values, and sense of purpose.
Create a personalised safety plan – So you feel supported and prepared during high-risk moments.

We integrate counselling and psychotherapy techniques with approaches such as:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – to help challenge unhelpful thoughts and build coping skills.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) – for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and crisis management.
Compassion-Focused Therapy – to soften harsh self-criticism and strengthen self-kindness.
Mindfulness and grounding techniques – to reconnect with the body and the present moment when overwhelmed.

Many people who seek therapy for self-harm or suicidal thoughts feel scared to open up, afraid they’ll be judged, misunderstood, or face consequences. At Aligned Mindset Therapy, we offer a safe, respectful, and confidential environment where your story is held with care.

You are not “too much.” You are not beyond help. Whatever you’re feeling right now, healing is possible.

Crisis Support

If you're in immediate danger or need urgent emotional support, please reach out to:

Samaritans (UK): Call 116 123, 24/7, free
Text SHOUT to 85258 for free crisis support
Or speak to your GP or local mental health crisis team

Ready to Talk?

We’re here when you’re ready. Whether you want to understand your thoughts, find relief, or feel more in control, we’ll walk with you—gently and without pressure.

Book a 30 Min Initial Meeting