Self-Harm & Emotional Regulation Therapy in Fort Wayne, IN
Self-harm is a way of coping with emotions that feel too big to manage, and it's more common, and more treatable, than most people realize.
At Unwilted Counseling, teens and young adults (ages 13–25) receive compassionate, trauma-informed therapy that addresses both the immediate need for safer coping and the deeper emotional patterns driving the urge to self-harm.
Sessions are available in person in Fort Wayne, Indiana, or virtually across Indiana and eligible parts of Ohio.
Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to talk through what's going on and find out if Unwilted Counseling is the right fit.
What Is Self-Harm?
Self-harm (sometimes called self-injury) is any deliberate act of hurting one's own body as a way to cope with distress, numbness, or emotions that feel overwhelming. It is generally a coping mechanism rather than a suicide attempt, though the two can be connected, and both deserve to be taken seriously. Self-harm is often kept hidden out of shame, which is part of why it can go unnoticed for a long time.
Self-harm is not a character flaw, a phase to be ignored, or a bid for attention. It is a sign that someone is struggling to manage emotional pain and hasn't yet found a safer way through it, and that is exactly what therapy helps build.
Signs a Teen or Young Adult May Be Struggling
Self-harm often happens privately, so signs can be easy to miss. What to watch for includes:
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Unexplained marks, cuts, burns, or bruises, often in places easily covered by clothing
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Wearing long sleeves or pants regardless of weather, or avoiding situations that expose skin
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Finding sharp objects, lighters, or first-aid supplies in unexpected places
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Increased secrecy, irritability, or emotional withdrawal
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Difficulty talking about feelings, or describing feeling emotionally “numb”
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Statements expressing self-hatred, worthlessness, or feeling like a burden
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A recent increase in stress, conflict, bullying, or a major life change
These signs often overlap with depression, unresolved trauma, or difficulty with emotion regulation more broadly. Noticing these signs is not about assigning blame, it's the first step toward getting the right support in place.
Why Self-Harm and Emotional Dysregulation Happen
Self-harm is almost always about managing an internal experience that otherwise feels unbearable. Common underlying drivers include:
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Intense emotions, anger, shame, grief, anxiety, that feel too large to express any other way
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Emotional numbness, and a need to feel something real or in control
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A history of trauma, invalidation, or an environment where emotions weren't safe to express
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Difficulty identifying or verbalizing feelings before they become overwhelming
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Major stressors,. bullying, family conflict, academic pressure, identity struggles, relationship loss
Because self-harm is typically a symptom rather than the core problem, treatment works best when it addresses what's underneath it, not only the behavior itself.
Our Approach to Self-Harm & Emotional Regulation Treatment
Unwilted Counseling treats self-harm and emotional dysregulation through a trauma-informed, skills-based approach:
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DBT-Informed Skills Training - builds concrete, sustainable tools for tolerating distress, regulating intense emotions, and reducing urges to self-harm.
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Safety Planning - a collaborative, individualized plan developed early in treatment to support safety between sessions.
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Emotion-Focused Therapy - helps build the capacity to identify, express, and move through emotions before they become overwhelming.
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Trauma-Informed Care, Including EMDR - addresses underlying trauma or invalidating experiences that often drive self-harming behavior.
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IFS-Informed Work (Internal Family Systems) - supports understanding and working with the internal “parts” connected to shame, self-criticism, or the urge to self-harm.
The goal is not just stopping a behavior. It's helping clients build a genuinely safer relationship with their emotions, so the underlying distress has somewhere real to go.
How Unwilted Counseling Can Help
Talking about self-harm often comes with a lot of shame, which can make the first step toward help feel especially hard. Unwilted Counseling is structured to meet that with care, not judgment:
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Consistent, one-on-one care. Unwilted Counseling is a solo, private-pay practice, so clients work with the same licensed therapist every session, building the trust this work requires.
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A nonjudgmental, shame-free space. Self-harm is treated as a coping response to understand, not a behavior to punish or shame.
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Collaboration with parents, when appropriate. For minors, caregivers are supported with guidance on how to respond, while respecting the teen's need for a confidential therapeutic space.
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Treatment that targets the root cause. Skills training happens alongside deeper trauma-informed and emotion-focused work, so change holds up long-term.
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A low-pressure first step. A free 15-minute consultation allows prospective clients or parents to ask questions before committing to ongoing care.
About Your Therapist
Clients work directly with Destina Rekeweg, LMHC. Destina holds a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over three years of experience, trained in EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS), specializing in trauma, emotion regulation, and crisis-adjacent concerns for teens and young adults.
Her approach is grounded, calm, and non-alarmist, creating a space where clients can be honest about self-harm and difficult emotions without fear of overreaction or judgment.
Because Unwilted Counseling is a solo practice, every client receives consistent, one-on-one care from the same therapist throughout treatment.
In-Person Counseling and Virtual Counseling Across Indiana and Ohio
Self-harm and emotional regulation therapy is available in whichever format best fits a client's comfort level and safety needs.
In-Person Counseling in Fort Wayne
In-person sessions take place in a private, comfortable office at 3514 Stellhorn Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46815, serving clients throughout Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Virtual Counseling Across Indiana and Ohio
Secure, HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy is available across Indiana, and, through the Counseling Compact, in eligible parts of Ohio. Sessions are not recorded and can be attended from home, campus, or another private space.
For clients whose safety needs are more acute, in-person sessions or a hybrid approach may be recommended as part of the initial assessment.
What to Expect: The Treatment Process
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Free 15-minute consultation - a low-pressure conversation to ask questions, with no obligation to continue.
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Initial assessment (50 minutes) - a thorough, compassionate look at history, current safety, triggers, and goals.
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Collaborative safety plan - developed together early in treatment to support safety between sessions.
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Ongoing weekly sessions (50 minutes) - combining skills training with deeper trauma-informed and emotion-focused work.
Investing in Self-Harm & Emotional Regulation Treatment
Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly, which allows treatment to be guided by clinical need rather than what an insurance panel will authorize. Clients may use out-of-network benefits for possible reimbursement.
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Initial intake assessment (50 min): $160
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Ongoing sessions (50 min): $135
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Intensive sessions: $202.50 (75 min) / $270 (100 min) / $405 (150 min)
Consistent therapy is an investment in real safety and long-term emotional resilience, not just the absence of a behavior, but a sustainable, healthier relationship with difficult emotions. Full details are available on the fees and policies page.
Related Concerns We Treat
Self-harm rarely occurs in isolation. Depending on individual circumstances, the following related services may also be relevant:
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Emotion Regulation Counseling - for broader difficulty managing emotional intensity
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Trauma Therapy - when self-harm is connected to past painful experiences
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Depression & Mood Disorder Counseling - for the low mood and hopelessness that often co-occur
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Self-Esteem & Identity Counseling - for the shame and self-worth struggles that often underlie self-harm
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Anxiety & Depression Therapy - for co-occurring anxiety
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Individual Therapy - for a broader, personalized approach to overall mental health
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Teens & Young Adults Counseling - the core age-specific care model behind every specialty at Unwilted Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
Self-harm refers to any deliberate act of hurting one's own body as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, distress, or numbness. It is generally not a suicide attempt, though the two can be connected and both deserve serious attention. Self-harm is a coping mechanism, and it is treatable.
Self-harm is typically a way of coping with emotions that feel too intense to manage, such as anger, shame, numbness, or overwhelming sadness. It can also be connected to trauma, difficulty expressing emotions verbally, a need for a sense of control, or an attempt to feel something when feeling numb. It is rarely about seeking attention.
Treatment typically combines DBT-informed skills training to build safer, sustainable ways of tolerating distress with trauma-informed and emotion-focused work to address what's driving the urge to self-harm in the first place. Safety planning is part of early treatment, and approaches such as EMDR are used when past trauma is a contributing factor.
Respond calmly and without punishment, let your teen know you love them and want to understand, and connect them with a licensed mental health professional as soon as possible. If there is any concern about immediate safety, contact 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line), or go to the nearest emergency room.
Not usually. Self-harm is most often a way of coping with distress rather than an attempt to end one's life, but it is a serious warning sign that should never be dismissed. Self-harm also increases the risk of suicidal thoughts over time, which is why professional support and, when needed, a safety plan are important.
Yes. Unwilted Counseling provides self-harm and emotional regulation therapy for teens and young adults ages 13–25, offering in-person sessions in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and secure virtual sessions across Indiana and eligible parts of Ohio.
Unwilted Counseling is a private-pay practice and does not bill insurance directly. Clients may use out-of-network benefits for possible reimbursement. Ongoing 50-minute sessions are $135, and the initial intake assessment is $160.
Good Faith Estimate: Clients paying privately have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate explaining expected costs of care. You may request this prior to scheduling.
Start Self-Harm & Emotional Regulation Therapy in Fort Wayne Today
Reaching out is often the hardest and most important step. A free 15-minute consultation is a low-pressure way to start the conversation and find the right support.
Call or text (260) 255-6432 or request your free consultation.
