Though it may seem counter-productive that anyone would hinder or sabotage their own goals, happiness or well-being, the truth is that many people live with underlying psychological forces that do just that. We are all products of our life experiences and sometimes those experiences create forces within us that hold us back. In some cases, these forces can be very self-destructive.
Addiction is one example of behaviour that is well-known for damaging people’s lives and addiction takes many forms. There are many different types of addictions and different severities of addictive behaviour. But not all self-destructive behaviour falls under the umbrella of addiction. Many types of recurring patterns of behaviour often lead to negative or destructive consequences.
Common self-destructive behaviours include:
There are many reasons people can act in self-destructive ways at times. Emotional pain, unresolved difficult past experiences, problematic parental relationships and previous experiences of trauma can all lead to self-destructive behaviours. These behaviours can become habits that are difficult to break.
Self-destructive behaviour can sometimes originate in self-coping strategies that no longer work. Self-coping mechanisms that have worked in the past may have got out of control and now do more harm than good. It’s sometimes hard to recognise when a coping mechanism has gone past its expiry date and is no longer helping.
Often, we may recognise self-destructive behaviour patterns but still feel unable to change or prevent these behaviours. We may feel powerless or even hopeless in the face of such powerful psychological forces.
Getting beyond self-destructive behaviour is possible.
Appointments available
Mondays to Fridays
7.30 am until 8.30 pm
Saturdays and Sundays
8.00 am until 6.00 pm
Call to book a first appointment
0333 207 9330
Connect with Us
There are many reasons why people develop self-sabotaging behaviour and each person’s circumstances will be unique to them. Therapy for self-destructive behaviour seeks to understand the underlying causes of the problematic behaviour. The history, patterns and triggers of the self-destructive behaviour will be considered. It can also be useful to understand the purpose of negative behaviour patterns: Why am I doing this to myself? What part of me am I trying to destroy? Why does this behaviour feel outside of my control?
We have seem many clients with all types of self-destructive behaviour. If you would like to make a first appointment to speak with a therapist about any worrying behaviour, please contact us.
Learn how to be constructive in your life, and reduce self-destructive behaviour.
With text messages, online networking and email so easy, talking to another person may seem old-fashioned. These days, communication is abbreviated and electronic. A quick text message or a short email is usually enough to get our message across. But humans have been talking to each…
Read more
Sexual issues are common. Sex taps into many different parts of us: the emotional, the physical, the psychological and even the spiritual. The opportunity for something to go wrong in our sexual wiring is great. Most people will experience some kind of sexual dysfunction at some point in…
Read moreCouples counselling provides space for couples to discuss problems in their relationship and find solutions.
Read more
Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Couples and Relationship Therapist Counselling Psychologist Asma offers psychodynamic, humanistic and integrative therapies to individuals and couples She tailors her approach to meet the needs and preferences of her clients She offers short and long term therapy Asma provides a non-judgemental space for her clients, where they...
Oxford Circus
Kensington
Consultant Integrative Psychotherapist Visiting lecturer at Regent's University Diploma in Somatic Trauma Therapy Advance Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc in Clinical Psychology Marta is a psychologist and an integrative psychotherapist: she has been working in the field of mental health for over 12 years in both private...
Soho
Kensington
Consultant Therapist MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy DIT - Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy BSc in Clinical Psychology Barbara is an accredited member of BACP, holding an MSc in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and adhering to the BACP ethical framework Her approach is open-ended, offering both short-term and long-term therapy Barbara has also trained in Dynamic...
Oxford Circus
Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist MSc Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy BA (Hons) Social Work Yussef is a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist who offers both long and short term personal therapy to individuals He has experience of working with a diverse range of clients and can provide a warm, confidential space to explore and gain insight into any past or...
Oxford Circus
Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist MSc in Psychology Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Sexology Magda helps couples and individuals who are facing psychosexual and relationship struggles She also specialises in compulsive sexual behaviours (often misunderstood as sex addiction) She aims to create a non-judgmental, supportive space where her clients can be open...
Fitzrovia
Consultant Therapist Head of Therapy Training Programmes Ben believes that at times we all struggle with the challenges life has to offer and therapy provides a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space to explore this Ben works with individuals to make sense of who they are and how they respond to the world today, and to explore new ways of being Ben is also...
Oxford Circus
Consultant Therapist Geraldine (she/her) is a psychodynamic psychotherapist who works with individuals Geraldine’s style of therapy is to work collaboratively with her clients and at each client’s pace It is sometimes difficult to make the decision to start therapy but Geraldine works together with her clients to address any issues that may feel difficult to...
Fitzrovia
Senior Consultant Therapist Stamatia draws on a broad range of theories of psychotherapy She works collaboratively with her clients to understand the causes of their concern and find ways to move forward Stamatia offers both short-term and longer-term therapy She has worked in various organisational settings with individuals seeking to address relationship issues,...
Bloomsbury
Consultant Therapist Rhiannon is a psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist with over ten years experience of working within the field of mental health Rhiannon provides an empathic and non-judgemental therapeutic space for her clients to explore any difficulties which they may be facing Within the safety of a confidential environment, she encourages her clients...
Oxford Circus
Soho
Consultant Psychodynamic Psychotherapist Patricia works within a psychodynamic approach This focuses on early life experience and relationships to help you understand how they shape who you are in the present When you begin to more fully explore your emotions and attitudes you can find a deeper self–knowledge, which can also transform the way you relate to...
Soho
Contact Us
One Therapy London
63-64 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SW
0333 207 9330
© 2006-2022 One Therapy Limited
Company number: 11926181
