"Road To Reduced Self-Harm: Crisis Safety & Coping Plan Worksheet"
 
This resource is a vital therapeutic tool designed to help children, adolescents, and young adults safely navigate moments of intense distress and strong urges to self-injure. Using a supportive "road map" metaphor, this worksheet provides a clear, actionable path to managing a crisis one step at a time.
 
This highly structured plan is ideal for therapists, school counselors, and parents/caregivers working with a child who struggles with self-harm.
The worksheet helps the user:
 
Check-In Early (The First Sign): Identify personal warning signs and use a 1-10 gauge to measure the intensity of the urge, promoting early intervention and self-awareness.
 
Implement Coping Strategies (The Detour): List and commit to three categories of personalized alternatives (quick, longer, and social detours) for immediate distraction and emotion regulation, such as calling a trusted adult or using ice.
 
Reflect and Learn (The Rest Stop): Encourage checking in after the crisis passes to determine if the detour was helpful and assess remaining feelings, reinforcing successful coping.
 
Stay Motivated (The Destination): Reinforce long-term recovery by listing personal reasons, hopes, and goals for staying on the road to reduced self-harm.