I began to self-injure when I was 15, and I was on my 13th therapist by the time I came to the S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® program for self-injurers. My search for help and healing included these multiple therapists, multiple medications, and conversations with the heads of psychology at several hospitals, yet I still found no true understanding, no help. I was continuing to get worse. When I found S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES®, I finally found people who understood what I was going through. Here was a program that didn't just "treat the symptoms", but worked hard to help me get to my core issues and begin to face and resolve them.

What I found at S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® was hope.

I’ll be honest; it was one of the most intense experiences of my life, with writing assignments, groups, private therapy and accountability. Prior to starting at S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES®, I was injury on a daily basis. When I was discharged after 30 days in the program, I went over 7 months before I relapsed. This is not uncommon for self-injurers. Old habits die hard. Yet this relapse was different. I had changed, and the cutting wasn’t the release it once had been. So I picked up the phone and called S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® and they welcomed me back with open arms.

This time, I worked harder than before. I was truly committed to changing my life. And it worked. I was able to stop injuring. This was in 2002. I can't tell you the last time I injured– I no longer keep track...I no longer need to. Without the tools, support and understanding I found within the S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® program, I know I'd still be injuring my body. I stand as proof that the concepts of the program works for those who want help. S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® is the right kind of help.