Final answer:
The 12-year-old girl using self-harm to cope with anxiety should first focus on increasing her ability to recognize and validate her emotions, a foundational step in effective emotion-focused coping.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is focused on the best initial coping strategy for a 12-year-old girl who is harming herself to cope with overwhelming anxiety. While all the options provided might eventually be helpful, the primary focus should first be on increasing her ability to recognize and validate her emotions. This is important as it is a foundational step in emotion-focused coping, which allows an individual to start managing their responses to stress more effectively. Once she has a better grasp on her emotions, she can then move on to use other strategies like practicing opposite action strategies, using positive self-statements, or engaging in physical activity to cope.
It is important to note that a young person engaging in self-harm should receive professional help. This concern should be addressed by trained mental health professionals who can provide the necessary support and strategies to help her manage her anxiety in healthier ways.