I am an artist, author, and teacher. I hold a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA), I paint in oils, and I teach students from all backgrounds. I've designed theme park attractions, painted murals and portraits, and written and illustrated books and comics. You can see my work at www.maggieparr.com.

I've also recovered from decades of self-injury. From age four to forty-five, I was either doing it, thinking about it, trying not to think about it, or pretending that part of me didn't exist. At times, I thought I'd never get better.

I worked with different therapists since the age of fourteen, with mixed results. But when I started cutting again in my forties, I found a therapist who was able to show me a new way. Instead of focusing on "stopping" the behavior, she taught me to see my cutting as a "voice on the skin"--one that was trying to get my attention. I slowed down and started to listen. In that process, I slowly recovered wholeness. The need to cut gradually left me.

There were no words for what I was experiencing. It was a creative, intuitive journey. I'd always used my art to process pain--now it became a lifeline to find my way back inside. The pictures I drew surprised me. They taught me. They gave a new voice to what I was trying to express through self-harm.

When I finally healed, I saw life in a completely different light--from my own deep presence, not a numb mask. I realized I could use my experiences to show others a path toward wholeness. So, I decided to write "A Creator's Guide to Stopping Self-Harm." In the process, I researched everything I could find about self-injury, and the growing field of knowledge about the healing power of creativity. The studies only confirmed what I already knew: creativity is the way in. It can re-wire our brains. Healing is not only possible, it's inevitable if we put in the work.

I developed this website as a way to share tools and resources for those who struggle, and the ones who care for them. It's meant as a supplement to therapy. If you or someone you love is self-injuring, please seek professional treatment. And let me know if I can help in any way.