Oftentimes it is difficult for people to deal with their emotional pain so they resort to hurting themselves through various methods. Some of these include, but are not limited to: skin cutting, burning, hitting or banging, hair pulling, and ingesting toxic chemicals, such as poison. However, the vast majority of self-injurious behavior deals with skin cutting. Frequently, self-injury happens in private, so it can be difficult at times to know if someone is harming themselves or not.

Self-injury is a maladaptive behavior and is frequently reported by clients as a release for their anxiety and/or depression. Many clients have expressed that it relieves their emotional pain much quicker than other healthy outlets, such as taking a walk, journaling, exercising, or listening to music, to name a few. Clients even have described that their temptation to self-injure is an impulse that cannot be controlled. Most people who self-injure are not trying to commit suicide, but they are at a higher risk for suicide, whether intentional or unintentional. Thus, it is important for this person to have support, acceptance, love, and tools on hand in order to learn how to deal with emotional distress.

Through counseling, support groups, and sometimes medication, the nature of the client's self-injurious behavior can be fully explored and treated. Together with a counselor, the client can identify and practice different coping strategies in order to help him/her live a healthier, safer life.