BROOKE POMERANTZ, LCSW | CALIFORNIA THERAPY & THERAPY IN OAKLAND
Self-Harm Therapy in OaklandYou do not have to suffer alone. In therapy we explore why you self-harm, we address the roots of your suffering and we find safer ways to manage pain and distress.
What Does Self-Harm Feel Like?
Self-harm can serve different functions for different people. For some, it can be an avenue to release emotional pain in a concrete, physical manner. For others, it can be a way to communicate psychic pain when words feel out of reach, or a maladaptive attempt to reduce overwhelming distress. Shame often accompanies self-harm – many people hide injuries from self-harm or choose to self-harm in areas that are less visible, yet the behavior developed for reasons that made sense at the time.
Self-Harm vs. Suicidal Thoughts
Self-harm refers to intentional injury to the body (e.g., cutting, burning, pinching, hitting). Suicidal thoughts are thoughts of dying, which can be passive (“thinking about death”) or active (specific plans). Many people who self-injure are not trying to die; the intention behind the behavior is often about regulating unbearable states. If injury is intended to cause death, that is a suicide attempt, and we treat it as such with immediate safety planning.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 988 (U.S.) or your local emergency number.
Common Reasons People Seek Therapy for Self-Harm
Intense internal distress
Emotions that feel too big, too fast, or too numb
Urges to “do something” when feelings can’t be put into words
Relief in the moment followed by shame or fear
Patterns that keep you stuck
Self-harm becoming a go-to coping strategy
Escalating frequency or intensity of urges
Avoidance of addressing the root causes of suffering
Impact on daily life and relationships
Shame, withdrawal, and/or isolation
Strain in relationship with loved ones who don’t understand the function of the behavior
Worry about safety and what it means
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy offers a safe, attuned, and non-judgmental relationship to study and explore what the behavior is doing for you – and to build alternatives ways of coping that actually help.
Understand the meaning and function
We’ll look closely at what function self-harm serves: release, soothing, making something felt, signaling suffering, habit or something else. We’ll track when urges arise, what precedes them, and how you feel after..
Build emotion regulation and distress tolerance
I often refer to a DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills group to complement individual therapy. DBT provides concrete, in-the-moment strategies for high nervous-system arousal while our sessions make space to understand the “why” and practice applying skills to your specific triggers.
Develop safer coping tailored to you
Together we’ll brainstorm and experiment: sensory-based soothing, time in nature, somatic approaches, calling a friend, or more active outlets. We’ll hone in on what helps, refine your toolkit, while expanding your resources for effective coping.
My Approach to Self-Harm Therapy
I work relationally and collaboratively. We’ll go at your pace and hold ambivalence about change with care—no top-down directives. In our work, we may:
1) Map triggers, functions, and after-effects of the behavior and build individualized coping plans
2) Strengthen emotion regulation and distress tolerance (often alongside a DBT skills group)
3) Practice safer alternatives and study what actually reduces arousal for you
4) Address sources of dysregulation (interpersonal stress, conflict, academic/work pressure)
5) Create a reliable, boundaried space where shame can be verbalized and worked through
What to Expect in Our First Sessions
In our first four sessions together, my focus is on getting to know you – really understanding your story, your relationships, and what brings you to therapy.
Explore Your History
Early sessions focus on your story: when self-harm began, what was happening at that point in time, identification of what it does for you now, and which situations lead to overwhelm. We’ll track patterns, build a safety plan, and start implementing small, workable experiments with alternative coping strategies.
Set Goals
By around the fifth session, collaborative goals are shaped and adjusted as needs evolve.
I’ll share my insights based on what I’ve learned so far, and we’ll collaborate to shape a direction that feels aligned with your needs, values, and intentions.
Review & Iterate
This early work lays the foundation for meaningful, focused therapy moving forward.
I believe it’s important for us to check in regularly and adjust the treatment as needed, so it continues to support you in the best way possible.
About Me
I’m Brooke Pomerantz, a licensed therapist based in Oakland and serving clients across California, New York, and Indiana. My approach is warm, collaborative, active, and grounded in many years of clinical work experience, ongoing professional development and consultation and my desire to be accessible and deeply humane in doing this work. I’m here to support you through life’s challenges with thoughtful, personalized therapy.
Brooke Pomerantz
Brooke Pomerantz is a compassionate and experienced licensed clinical social worker dedicated to providing supportive therapy services in Oakland and through teletherapy across California. With a focus on creating a safe and nurturing environment, Brooke helps clients navigate life’s challenges, fostering growth and healing through personalized therapeutic approaches.