Depression, Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation Support
Specialized Therapy for Depression, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Ideation in Children, Teens, and Young Adults in Jenkintown, PA and Wellesley, MA
Helping Young People Find Hope, Build Coping Skills, and Feel Like Themselves Again
At The Center for Family Empowerment, we provide specialized, evidence-based therapy for children, teens, young adults, and families navigating depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and significant emotional distress. We understand how frightening and overwhelming it can be when your child seems withdrawn, hopeless, or unable to cope—and how difficult it can be to know what to do next.
Our clinicians provide compassionate, individualized treatment focused on understanding what your child is experiencing, strengthening coping and emotional regulation skills, improving safety, and helping young people reconnect with the people and activities that matter to them.
Depending on your child's needs, treatment may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), DBT-informed skills, family therapy, parent coaching, safety planning, and other evidence-based interventions tailored to your child's developmental level, strengths, and individual circumstances.
Please note: The Center for Family Empowerment provides outpatient therapy and is not an emergency or crisis service. If your child is in immediate danger, has an active suicide plan or intent, or cannot be kept safe, please call 911, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact 988 for immediate crisis support.
You Might Be Here Because...
Depression doesn't always look like sadness.
In children and teens, depression may show up as irritability, anger, withdrawal, changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating, loss of motivation, or a sense that nothing feels enjoyable anymore.
Self-harm and suicidal thoughts can be especially frightening for families. Sometimes young people use self-harm as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, numbness, or distress. Other times, self-harm or suicidal thoughts may occur alongside depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health concerns.
Your child may be struggling with:
• Persistent sadness or irritability • Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed • Withdrawing from friends or family • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness • Negative or self-critical thinking • Significant changes in sleep or appetite • Low motivation or difficulty completing everyday tasks • Difficulty concentrating • Feeling emotionally numb or overwhelmed • Self-harm or urges to self-harm • Thoughts about death or dying • Suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation • Difficulty managing intense emotions • Feeling like things will never get better
You may notice your child:
• Spending more time alone or avoiding family and friends • Losing interest in activities, sports, hobbies, or things they once loved • Becoming increasingly irritable, angry, or emotionally reactive • Saying things like "I don't care," "What's the point?" or "Everyone would be better off without me" • Wearing long sleeves or otherwise attempting to hide injuries • Becoming secretive about their emotions or behaviors • Struggling to get out of bed, attend school, complete responsibilities, or participate in everyday life
Does any of this sound familiar?
Your child seems like a different person than they were a few months ago.
They have become increasingly withdrawn, irritable, or disconnected.
Things they once enjoyed no longer seem to matter to them.
You hear your child talking negatively about themselves or their future.
You have discovered evidence of self-harm or your child has told you they are hurting themselves.
Your child has expressed thoughts about death, dying, disappearing, or not wanting to be here.
You aren't sure how seriously to take what your child is saying—or what you're supposed to do next.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. When a child or teen is experiencing depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, families often feel scared, confused, and unsure of how to help. Specialized therapy can provide a place to understand what's happening, strengthen coping skills, address underlying concerns, and develop a plan for moving forward.
Our Approach
At The Center for Family Empowerment, we understand that depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation are complex concerns that require more than simply telling a young person to "think positively."
We take time to understand the whole picture—including your child's emotional experiences, relationships, developmental stage, stressors, strengths, coping strategies, and family environment.
Depending on your child's needs, treatment may include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) • DBT-informed skills • Emotional regulation strategies • Distress tolerance and coping skills • Safety planning • Individual therapy • Family therapy • Parent coaching • Building communication skills • Problem-solving strategies • Strengthening social supports • Collaboration with psychiatrists, pediatricians, schools, and other providers when appropriate
Our clinicians support children and teens experiencing:
• Emotional regulation • Distress tolerance • Identifying and communicating emotions • Coping with difficult thoughts and feelings • Problem-solving • Self-awareness • Self-compassion • Communication • Healthy relationships • Building hope and motivation • Safety and help-seeking
We recognize that self-harm and suicidal thoughts can have different meanings and functions for different young people. Our clinicians take the time to understand the individual rather than making assumptions based on a behavior or diagnosis.
Understanding Self-Harm
Self-harm can be frightening for parents to discover. It can also be difficult to understand why a child or teen would intentionally hurt themselves. Self-harm may serve different functions for different individuals. Some young people describe using it to manage overwhelming emotions, reduce emotional pain, express distress, feel something when they feel numb, or regain a sense of control.
Understanding the function of self-harm is an important part of treatment. Our goal is not to shame, punish, or simply demand that a young person stop. Instead, we work to understand what is happening underneath the behavior and help them develop safer, more effective ways of coping.
Parents are also supported in learning how to respond calmly and effectively while maintaining appropriate safety and boundaries.
Supporting Young People Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts
Hearing your child express suicidal thoughts can be terrifying. Parents may wonder:
"Are they really serious?"
"Should I ask them about suicide?"
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Am I making things worse by talking about it?"
You do not have to figure this out alone.
Our clinicians work with families to better understand the severity and context of a young person's suicidal thoughts, identify risk and protective factors, strengthen communication, and develop appropriate safety and treatment plans.
When a higher level of care is needed, we help families understand the next steps and coordinate with appropriate providers when possible.
If your child is in immediate danger or you believe they cannot be kept safe, seek emergency support rather than waiting for an outpatient therapy appointment.
Why Specialized Treatment Matters
Depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation require thoughtful, specialized care. These concerns can affect a young person's relationships, school functioning, physical health, family life, and sense of hope. They can also occur alongside anxiety, OCD, trauma, ADHD, neurodivergence, or other mental health challenges.
Treatment needs to address more than the symptoms that are visible from the outside. Our clinicians work to understand the underlying factors contributing to your child's distress while helping them develop practical skills for managing difficult emotions, communicating their needs, and navigating challenging situations.
For teens experiencing intense emotional distress or self-harm, DBT-informed treatment can be particularly helpful because it focuses on skills such as distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Our goal is not simply to make symptoms disappear. It's to help young people develop the skills, support, and sense of hope they need to move forward.
What Parents Can Expect
When your child is struggling with depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, starting therapy can feel overwhelming.
Our first sessions focus on understanding your child's experiences and creating a safe, supportive therapeutic relationship.
We'll explore:
What your child has been experiencing
When concerns began and how they've changed
Current stressors and challenges
Strengths and protective factors
Relationships and support systems
School and family functioning
Coping strategies
Self-harm behaviors or urges, when applicable
Suicidal thoughts or other safety concerns, when applicable
From there, we'll develop individualized treatment goals based on your child's needs and circumstances.
Parents are an important part of the process. Depending on your child's age and treatment goals, we may provide parent coaching, regular check-ins, family sessions, safety planning, or guidance around how to respond to difficult moments at home.
As treatment progresses, goals may evolve as your child develops stronger coping skills and greater confidence managing their emotions.
Why Families Choose The Center for Family Empowerment
Families choose The Center for Family Empowerment because we understand how deeply a child's emotional struggles can affect the entire family.
Our clinicians provide compassionate, evidence-based care for young people experiencing depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and significant emotional distress. We don't approach these concerns with judgment or fear. We create a therapeutic environment where children and teens can be honest about what they're experiencing while parents receive the guidance and support they need.
We believe young people deserve to feel heard, understood, and supported—even when they're struggling to see a way forward. And families deserve a team that can help them navigate difficult moments with compassion, expertise, and a clear plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child tells me they are suicidal?
Take it seriously and stay calm. Ask directly about what they are experiencing and whether they have thoughts of killing themselves, a plan, or access to the means to act on those thoughts. If you believe your child is in immediate danger or cannot be kept safe, seek emergency support by calling 911, going to the nearest emergency department, or contacting 988.
Can therapy help with self-harm?
Yes. Therapy can help young people understand what is contributing to self-harm, identify triggers, develop alternative coping strategies, and strengthen emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills. Parent involvement is often an important part of treatment.
Does my child need to be diagnosed with depression to receive therapy?
No. Children and teens can experience significant emotional distress without having a formal diagnosis. Our clinicians will work to understand your child's symptoms and experiences and determine what type of treatment may be most appropriate.
Will parents be involved?
Yes, when appropriate. Depending on your child's age, treatment goals, and safety needs, parent involvement may include regular check-ins, parent coaching, family sessions, education, and support developing strategies for home.
Do you provide crisis services?
No. The Center for Family Empowerment provides outpatient therapy and does not provide emergency or crisis services. If your child is in immediate danger or cannot be kept safe, please contact 911, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact 988.
Can you work with a psychiatrist or other provider?
Yes. With appropriate authorization and when clinically appropriate, we can collaborate with psychiatrists, pediatricians, schools, and other providers involved in your child's care.
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Related Areas of Expertise
Children and teens experiencing depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts may benefit from additional specialized services depending on their individual needs.
DBT & Emotion Regulation
Some children and teens experiencing depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts also struggle with intense emotions and difficulty coping with distress. Our DBT & Emotion Regulation services help young people develop practical skills for managing emotions, tolerating distress, and responding to difficult situations in healthier ways.Learn more about our DBT & Emotion Regulation services.
Trauma & EMDR
Difficult or traumatic experiences can sometimes contribute to depression, emotional distress, self-harm, or changes in a child's sense of safety and self-worth. Learn more about our Trauma Therapy & EMDR services.
Self-Esteem & Body Image
Low self-worth and negative beliefs about oneself can contribute to or occur alongside depression and emotional distress. Learn more about our Self-Esteem & Body Image services.
Anxiety Therapy
Depression and self-harm can occur alongside anxiety, excessive worry, or difficulty managing uncertainty. Learn more about our Anxiety Therapy services.
Parent Coaching
Parents often need support navigating difficult conversations, responding to emotional distress, and creating a supportive environment at home. Learn more about Parent Coaching.
Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
Neurodivergent children and teens may experience increased emotional distress when their needs are misunderstood or when they feel pressure to fit in. Learn more about our Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy services.
Schedule a Consultation
Your child doesn't have to navigate this alone.
Whether they're struggling with depression, self-harm, overwhelming emotions, or feelings of hopelessness, our team is here to help them build healthier coping skills, strengthen resilience, and rediscover hope.