Overcoming Teen Self-Harm: Healing with My Daughter

15 Minutes with Dad: Emotional Presence, Co-Parenting & Father's Growth

15 Minutes with Dad: Emotional Presence, Co-Parenting & Father's Growth
Overcoming Teen Self-Harm: Healing with My Daughter
Mar 15, 2025
Lirec Williams

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When I discovered my daughter was self-harming, my world shifted in an instant.
What followed was a journey through fear, confusion, and ultimately, emotional healing, family empowerment, and unshakable self-love.

In this raw and courageous episode of 15 Minutes with Dad, I sit down with my daughter Mariah for our first public conversation about our experience navigating teen self-harm. Together, we offer hope-filled transparency to families walking a similar path.

We explore how overwhelming emotions, co-parenting transitions, and blended family dynamics led Mariah to harmful coping behaviors at just 10 years old. Her powerful voice sheds light on the emotional neglect and isolation many children feel—but rarely speak about.

💔 You’ll hear:

  • The painful moment I realized I had missed the warning signs as a father
  • Why self-harm is not just “attention-seeking,” but often a quiet cry for help
  • How music, journaling, and affirmations became tools for emotional growth
  • The steps we took to create emotional safety through daily check-ins, open doors, and consistent presence
  • What it means to lead with love—not control—when protecting your child

As a father, I had to shift from reaction to intentional parenting—from fear to fierce presence—removing harmful objects, staying vigilant, and showing up without judgment.
That’s healing fatherhood in action.

🎯 Our path toward resilience included:

  • Regular therapy sessions to support mental health and emotional regulation
  • Supportive communication rooted in listening, not lecturing
  • Co-creating routines and affirmations to build self-awareness and emotional resilience

This episode is for every parent who’s felt helpless, and every teen who’s felt unseen.
 You are not broken. You are becoming. And there is hope.

🛠️ Visit 15minuteswithdad.com for more tools on mental healing, co-parenting, and buildin

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Thank you for joining us on this transformative journey! Together, we're breaking barriers and fostering a community of healing.




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