Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors Therapists in Sunderland, England

I offer support for body-focused repetitive behaviours (BFRBs), including hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation), nail biting, and other repetitive, compulsive behaviours focused on the body. These patterns can feel difficult to control and are often accompanied by shame, frustration, anxiety, or a sense of being “stuck” in cycles that are hard to break. My approach is grounded in psychoanalytic and relational psychotherapy, offering a compassionate and non-judgemental space to explore both the behaviour itself and the emotional, relational, and unconscious processes that may underpin it. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, we may also explore what these behaviours communicate, regulate, or help manage on an emotional level. I work in a trauma-informed way, recognising that BFRBs can be linked to anxiety, stress, emotional regulation difficulties, perfectionism, or past experiences of trauma or emotional neglect. Therapy can support you in developing greater awareness of triggers and patterns, while also reducing self-criticism and shame. I also integrate somatic awareness to help you notice body-based cues and nervous system states that may precede or accompany these behaviours, supporting greater regulation and choice over time. Psychoeducation may be used to deepen understanding of compulsive and habitual processes, and where appropriate, I may incorporate EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques / tapping) to support emotional regulation and urge reduction. Therapy is collaborative and paced according to your needs, supporting you to develop greater self-understanding, emotional resilience, and more compassionate ways of relating to yourself and your body.

Sometimes people experiencing Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours report feeling very stressed, but sometime they aren't aware of feeling stressed. Either way, these behaviours might be impacting on day-to-day life. I provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which is the recommended psychological therapy for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviours, anxiety problems and depression.

We will create a plan to overcome repetitive behaviours

Sunderland is a city in the northeast of England with a proud history in shipbuilding and coal mining, and its post-industrial economic transformation has left significant deprivation in many communities, with mental health need among the highest in the country across a range of indicators. NHS mental health services are provided through Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, one of England's largest mental health trusts, though demand consistently exceeds capacity. The University of Sunderland contributes to the local mental health workforce through its psychology and counselling programmes, and a private therapy sector exists alongside NHS provision. Common therapy concerns include depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship difficulties, and the psychological effects of long-term unemployment and community decline that have affected many Wearside neighbourhoods.

Gender ID

100%

Female

Session Type

	67%	In Person and Online
	33%	Online Only

Top Treatment Approaches

67%	Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
67%	Behavioral Therapy
67%	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
67%	Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
67%	Gottman Method Couples Therapy
67%	Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
67%	Somatic Therapy

Ages Served

100%	Adult
67%	Senior
67%	Young Adult
33%	Teen

Client Focus

67%	LGBTQ+
67%	Men
67%	Women
33%	Asian
33%	Black / African American

Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Sunderland, England

Ruth Mark-Roland Psychotherapy

Alison Edwards Therapy & Supervision

Kat Pachana-Pereira