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Koren Hudson, MA, LPC, NCC
Chief Clinical Officer
Koren Hudson, LPC, NCC, serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at Horizon Recovery, where she oversees clinical operations for both residential and outpatient programs supporting adolescents and families.
Learn More About Koren HudsonFinding out that your teen is cutting can stop you in your tracks. You may feel scared, heartbroken, confused, or even angry. You might wonder what you missed or whether you caused this. Those feelings are normal. And if you’re searching for what to do if your child is cutting, you’re already taking an important step.
Here’s what matters most right now. Self-harm is a sign that your teen is in pain and struggling to cope. It is not a sign that you’ve failed as a parent. With calm support and the right professional help, teens can learn healthier ways to handle overwhelming emotions and heal.
At Horizon Recovery, we help Phoenix-area families through this exact moment. If your teen is hurting themselves, reach out to our admissions team to talk through your options.
Learn more about our teen self-harm treatment in Arizona or verify your insurance now.
Before anything else, check on your teen’s immediate safety. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if:
For urgent emotional support, you or your teen can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Most teens who self-harm are not trying to end their lives. But self-harm should always be taken seriously. According to MedlinePlus, people who harm themselves are at higher risk of attempting suicide if they don’t get help. That’s why getting support early matters so much.
Cutting can be hard for parents to understand. It may help to know that self-harm is usually a way to cope with emotions that feel too big to manage.
MedlinePlus describes self-harm as an unhealthy way to cope with strong feelings, rather than a mental disorder on its own. Teens may hurt themselves to release feelings like anger, loneliness, or hopelessness. Some do it to feel something when they feel numb. Others are trying to feel in control, punish themselves, or show that they need help.
Self-harm is often connected to other struggles. These may include depression, anxiety, past trauma, substance use, or low self-esteem. Treating these underlying issues is a key part of healing.
It’s also worth naming a common myth. Self-harm is rarely about seeking attention. Most teens work hard to hide it. For a deeper look at the reasons behind this behavior, read our guide on why teens cut themselves.
If you’re facing this, you’re far from the only parent. In an analysis of CDC survey data from high school students in 11 states, rates of self-injury among girls ranged from about 18% to 31%, depending on the state. Rates among boys ranged from about 6% to 15%.
The same study found self-injury was linked to depression, suicidal thoughts, being bullied online, and substance use. Self-harm affects teens of every background. Both boys and girls can struggle with it.
Because self-harm is often hidden, the signs can be easy to miss. Warning signs that a teen may be self-harming include:
If you notice several of these signs, trust your instincts. It’s okay to gently ask.
The first conversation can feel terrifying. You don’t need perfect words. What your teen needs most is to feel that you’re on their side.
Take a breath before you start. Your teen may already feel ashamed or afraid of your reaction. A calm, steady tone tells them it’s safe to talk.
You might say something simple, like “I noticed some marks, and I’m worried about you. I’m not upset. I just want to understand how you’re feeling.” It’s important not to be judgmental and to let your child know you want to help.
Let your teen share at their own pace. Focus on their feelings, not just the behavior. Questions like “How long have you been feeling this way?” can open the door. You don’t need to fix everything in one talk.
Your teen may not be ready to open up right away. That’s okay. Let them know you’ll keep checking in and that you love them no matter what.
Fear can push parents toward reactions that make teens shut down. NAMI notes that self-harm is usually a sign a person needs support, understanding, and professional help. Try to avoid:
You don’t have to handle this alone. Professional support gives your teen the best chance to heal. Steps to take after you discover your teen is cutting:
If self-harm is frequent, getting worse, or happening alongside suicidal thoughts, more intensive treatment may be needed. Severe cases may require care in a psychiatric hospital or a mental health day program.
There’s no single medication for self-harm itself. But therapy can teach teens new ways to cope with strong emotions, solve problems, and build self-esteem. When an underlying condition like depression or anxiety is treated, the urge to self-harm may weaken. Therapies that can help teens who self-harm include:
At Horizon Recovery, treatment for self-harm focuses on safety, emotional healing, and family involvement. We serve teens ages 12 to 17 in residential care and young people ages 8 to 21 in outpatient programs. Our continuum of care includes:
Parents are part of the process. You’ll receive clear communication, education about self-harm, and guidance on supporting your teen at home. Learn more about what parents can expect during treatment.
Supporting a teen who self-harms is emotionally exhausting. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It helps you show up for your teen.
Lean on a trusted partner, friend, or family member. Consider talking with a therapist of your own. Parent support groups can also help you feel less alone. Recovery takes time, and setbacks can happen. Progress isn’t always a straight line, but it is possible.
First check their immediate safety. Call 911 or go to the ER for a serious injury or any danger to their life. Then stay calm, listen without judging, and get professional help, starting with their doctor.
Most teens who self-harm are not trying to end their lives, but it should always be taken seriously. People who harm themselves are at higher risk of attempting suicide if they don’t get help.
Usually to cope with emotions that feel too big to manage, such as anger, loneliness, or hopelessness. Some do it to feel something when they feel numb, or to feel in control.
Rarely. Most teens work hard to hide it. Calling it attention-seeking can make your teen feel unseen and dismissed.
Therapy can teach new ways to cope. Options include DBT, CBT, family therapy, and group therapy. Treating underlying conditions like depression or anxiety can also weaken the urge to self-harm.
We serve teens ages 12 to 17 in residential care and young people ages 8 to 21 in outpatient programs.
We publish our results. We report how many teens return to care after discharge and how symptoms change from intake to discharge, with the number of young people behind each figure. These come from our own clinical records, not a research study, and no outcome is guaranteed. Figures are refreshed monthly. See the full numbers and how we measure them.
Not ready to call? Start Here walks through the first steps in order, with free screeners for depression, anxiety, ADHD and bipolar that take a few minutes each. The screeners don't diagnose or decide the level of care. Start Here.
Comparing programs? Here are seven questions to ask every program you call: written guarantees, staffing, clinical hours, family involvement and more. Read the seven questions.
Who is with my teen, and how often will I hear from you? In our residential houses, licensed master's-level therapists carry no more than five teens each. Families get a weekly family therapy session and a weekly call from their teen's clinician with a written summary. After-hours calls are answered by someone who knows your child, not an outside agency. See the full answers.
Neurofeedback with residential care. The Neuro Program, offered at Arrowhead and Deer Valley, uses QEEG brain maps before and after at least 20 training sessions over about 5 to 6 weeks. Our Chief Clinical Officer reviews each referral. Teens who complete the program have shown more reliable improvement than those who stop early, and we publish that comparison, with its numbers, on our treatment outcomes page. This is not a randomized study, and teens who stay longer may differ from those who leave early. Learn about the Neuro Program.
Our written service guarantee. Horizon puts its service standards in writing and our CEO signs them for every family at admission. They cover how we communicate, provide care and treat your family from admission through the seventh day after discharge. If we confirm we missed a commitment, you get a full refund of what you paid out of pocket. It is a promise about service, not outcomes. Read the Horizon Guarantee.
Learning your teen is cutting is one of the hardest things a parent can face. But this moment can also be the start of real healing. With patience, compassion, and the right care, your teen can learn safer ways to cope and feel more like themselves again.
Horizon Recovery is here to walk alongside your family. Our team specializes in adolescent care and understands how frightening this can feel.
Call us now at (602) 755-7858 to talk with someone who can help. You can also verify your insurance now to take the next step toward care for your teen.
