The idea that cutting yourself or inflicting some other kind of self injury brings relief from emotional pain is hard to fathom. When it becomes a way of coping with stress the consequences are severe. Teens cut for many reasons and while it's tempting to view it as attention seeking it remains a very serious threat to one's safety. In therapy we examine the issues that are prompting the behavior and develop healthier alternative coping skills. Parents are supported in approaching the behavior as a symptom needing treatment to minimize their understandable reactivity to these behaviors.