Counselling for Self-destructive Behaviour

There are many ways people hold themselves back. Self-destructive behaviour can take many forms.

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:

  • drug or alcohol misuse
  • risky or unprotected sex
  • uncontrolled gambling
  • overuse of porn
  • chronic procrastination
  • over-eating
  • over-spending/going into debt
  • avoiding responsibility
  • ending/destroying of personal relationships
  • maintaining a ‘head in the sand’ approach to problems
  • poor performance at work
  • having affairs/pushing boundaries in relationships

We can all be self-destructive at times

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.

Client Testimonials

Understanding self-destructive behaviour is the first step towards getting it under control

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.

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Therapists in London

Finding the right therapist is an important first step.

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One Therapy London

Counselling, psychotherapy, couples counselling in London since 2006

Therapist Toulla Nicolaides
Toulla Nicolaides

Consultant Therapist Toulla is an integrative relational therapist using a combination of therapeutic approaches to help her clients She provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their difficulties in life, relationships and childhood and to share and resolve confusing and overwhelming feelings Toulla believes that, though challenging,...

Fitzrovia

Therapist Ameet Magan
Ameet Magan

Consultant Therapist Ameet is from London and holds an MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy He has more than a decade’s experience of working in a one-to-one capacity with clients He has also trained in groupwork and has worked since 2016 as a group psychotherapist and clinical practitioner with the NHS in East London Ameet is a warm, grounded and reflective person He...

Kensington

Therapist Stamatia Lorentzou
Stamatia Lorentzou

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

Therapist Jackson
Dwayne Jackson

Senior Consultant Therapist Founder and Director Jackson has lived in USA, Hong Kong and London He studied psychology in America and integrative psychotherapy in the United Kingdom Jackson is open to discussing any life experience or behaviour a client might put forward He feels there should be no shame or judgement in discussing life choices, experiences or...

Bloomsbury

Therapist Nicola Reeves
Nicola Reeves

Consultant Therapist MA Psychodynamic Psychotherapy  EMDR Practitioner Qualified Clinical Supervisor Nicola is a psychodynamic psychotherapist and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapist Nicola believes in giving clients time and space to approach therapy in the way they need to approach it She finds this is the best way to develop a...

Soho

Therapist Rhiannon Whipps
Rhiannon Whipps

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

Therapist Marta Pisarri
Marta Pisarri

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

Therapist Silvi Naskinova
Silvi Naskinova

Consultant Therapist MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy HE in Humanistic and Psychodynamic Counselling Silvi is a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist offering both long and shorter-term therapy  She aims to provide a safe, supportive and non-judgmental space for her clients to explore whatever is on their minds Her work...

Oxford Circus

Therapist Evan Bates
Evan Bates

Consultant Therapist Evan is a psychodynamic therapist, offering both long and short term therapy He creates a non-judgemental and reflective space to help clients explore their difficulties and concerns Working together to understand the connections between past and current relationships, Evan supports clients in developing a deeper awareness of their recurring...

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Fitzrovia

Therapist Patricia Connolly
Patricia Connolly

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