HopeForYourFamily » self-injury

Strongholds to FREEDOM!

Roger Butner — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:59:17 +0000

This may be the best thing I’ve ever seen on a screen! Yes, 8:46 is an eternity by today’s standards. But today’s standards don’t seem to be very eternal, do they? Watch it, for your sake – or for the sake of someone else who needs you to watch it.

Scheduling Update!

Roger Butner — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:34:05 +0000

I am rebooting the start date for the upcoming group I will be leading here in Baton Rouge. I hate that there is such a need for this kind of group, but I have learned that the ugliness of reality is better faced than avoided. I am doing what I can to face this particular painful reality and equip teens and their families with tools to overcome it in their lives. Please do what you can to support this group by praying for us and sharing the word as you have opportunity.

Alternatives to Cutting for Teens (A.C.T.)

A psycho-educational group for male and female teens who want to stop self-injuring.

NEW START DATE! June 1, 2010

7:00-8:30 pm on Tuesday evenings

Group runs for 10 weeks (through August 3)

- Space is limited to 12 participants -

$50/session or prepay total for $450

Murphy Toerner and Associates

C-K Office Park

Conference Room A (front building)

17170 Perkins Rd

Baton Rouge, LA 70810

Pre-registration is required to ensure participation.

Contact Dr. Butner for registration or further information (225-333-1582 or Roger@hopeforyourfamily.com )

- Ask about the 5-week group for parents! -

Alternatives to Cutting for Teens (A.C.T.) Group

Roger Butner — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:54:45 +0000

Click here to download the pdf of the flier to pass along to someone who may benefit from our group.

Self-Injury Resources

Roger Butner — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 21:54:42 +0000

Click here to access my list of recommended reading for self-injury. Also, there are several links to helpful websites under the section of “self-injury links” on the right side column of my website.

Parenting 101 – Self-Injury

Roger Butner — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:38:51 +0000

Check out my Parenting 101 page to see my latest interview and read the Q & A regarding children/adolescents and self-injury.

“Cutting” article

Roger Butner — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 01:34:05 +0000

Click here or pick up the September issue of Baton Rouge Parents Magazine to read my article on the growing epidemic of “cutting” (self-injury). For the record, the magazine took some editorial liberty with my article – most notably changing most of the pronouns to “she” and “her.” I assume they did so because of the common misperception that self-injury is primarily a female problem. While there does seem to be a higher percentage of females with this problem, the percentage appears higher due to the much higher rate of females seeking professional treatment. Unfortunately, we males continue to be socialized with the idea that we aren’t allowed to have problems beyond our control – that this is a sign of weakness, the ultimate shame for a male. (For more on this topic, read “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge.)

“Cutting” – part 2

Roger Butner — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 18:48:24 +0000

I am continuing to read, train, and grow in the area of working with those who injure themselves through cutting, burning, and other means. This is an area to which I have committed myself to continual development, as it is clearly a problem that is growing rapidly in our culture. In fact, at a recent professional training workshop on the topic, the expert speaker, who has worked with self-injuring individuals for over 30 years said, “Self-mutilation is becoming the new smoking.”

If you, or someone you know, is engaged in self-harming behaviors such as cutting, burning, compulsive skin-picking, hair pulling, hitting oneself, or bone-breaking, there is real help available. Please get help now! This behavior can often lead people to feel very ashamed, and to work very hard to hide their secret. You are not alone – 3 million Americans (1%) are struggling with the same thing, and the number of adolescents is about 10%. And you can get help, but only if you reach out for it. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or church member. You can call S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self Abuse Finally Ends) at 1-800-DONTCUT. Talk to a helping professional, such as a counselor, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You can call me at 387-2287 or email me at roger@hopeforyourfamily.com. There are several options that can offer real help, including counseling, medication, and dietary changes. For some very practical tips on alternatives to harming yourself, click here. If you would like additional resources, click here for a list of helpful books and websites. I recommend “Bodily Harm: The Breakthrough Healing Program for Self-Injurers” by Karen Contario, Wendy Lader, and Jennifer Kingson Bloom as the very best of the book list.

“Cutting” – A Growing Epidemic

Roger Butner — Mon, 22 May 2006 22:59:12 +0000

The very serious problem of “cutting” (also known as self-injury or self-mutilation) is growing to epidemic proportion at an alarming rate – particularly among adolescents (a group that spans from about age 10 to 25). I will write more about this dangerous struggle later, but for now, here is a MSWord document listing quite a few good resources for those of you who would like to be better informed: “Cutting” Resource List