Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Kernersville, North Carolina NC
We are proud to feature top rated Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Kernersville. We encourage you to review each profile to find your best match.
BFRB
Dr. Jillian Mahatha
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Ph.D., LCMHC, NCC, ACS, CCTP
I specialize in working with children, adolescents, and adults who experience body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), such as hair pulling, skin picking, and related behaviors. I help clients develop greater awareness of their triggers, build effective coping strategies, and learn healthier ways to manage urges while improving overall well-being.
14 Years Experience
Online in Kernersville, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
BFRB
Emily Stone
Marriage and Family Therapist, MA, MDiv, PhD, LMFT-S
BFRBs: Beyond the "Habit"
Compassionate Care for Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, & More
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs), such as Trichotillomania (hair pulling) and Dermatillomania (skin picking), are frequently misunderstood as simple nervous habits or "grooming gone wrong." In reality, they are complex, self-regulatory responses to a nervous system seeking balance. I provide a shame-free, clinically sophisticated space to help you understand your urges and reclaim your relationship with your body.
Understanding the Cycle
BFRBs often thrive in the shadows of secrecy. In our work, we pull back the curtain on the cycle of:
The Sensory Urge: Identifying the "itch" or "tension" that precedes the behavior—often a response to overwhelm or a need for stimulation.
The Trance State: Addressing the "zoning out" that occurs during picking or pulling, where the behavior becomes a way to numb out or manage intense emotions.
The Shame Spiral: Breaking the cycle of regret and physical "fixing" that often follows, which only increases the anxiety that fuels the next urge.
An Integrated Path to Healing
Using my training in EMDR, Systems Theory, and Attachment, we move beyond basic "willpower" to address the deeper neurological and emotional drivers:
Somatic Regulation: We use grounding techniques to increase your Window of Tolerance, helping you stay present when the urge to pick or pull feels overwhelming.
EMDR for Body Shame: Many people with BFRBs carry deep-seated trauma or negative self-beliefs regarding their appearance. We use EMDR to process these "stuck" emotions, reducing the internal pressure that fuels the behavior.
Environmental & Sensory Styling: We look at your "system"—your home, your workspace, and your routine—to create sensory-safe environments that reduce triggers and provide healthier outlets for nervous energy.
You Are More Than Your Behavior
Whether you have struggled since childhood or have recently experienced a flare-up due to burnout or life transitions, I am here to help. We don’t just aim for "stoppage"; we aim for body neutrality, self-compassion, and a regulated nervous system.
21 Years Experience
Online in Kernersville, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
BFRB
Anna Urbaniak
Psychologist, PhD
Specializing in hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting, I use habit reversal, acceptance strategies, and CBT techniques to break cycles and build healthier habits.
15 Years Experience
Online in Kernersville, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
BFRB
Kimberlee Zetocha Halverson
Psychologist, Ph.D, LP
I have extensive training and experience with behavior modification therapy. I start with learning what purpose or function the behaviors serve. Next, we explore if there is a healthier alternative, discover the root cause of the behavior, and/or focus on habit reduction and eventually elimination.
17 Years Experience
Online in Kernersville, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
BFRB
Nour Counseling
Counselor/Therapist
Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)—like skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting, or cheek biting—are often misunderstood, minimized, or treated like “bad habits” that you should just be able to stop. In reality, these behaviors are complex and often serve a purpose, whether that’s regulating anxiety, managing sensory input, or creating a sense of relief or control. Many people carry a lot of shame around BFRBs, especially when others don’t understand or when it’s been dismissed in the past. At Nour Counseling, we take this seriously—and we approach it without judgment.
We work with you to understand the patterns behind your BFRBs—when they happen, what triggers them, and what they’re doing for you in the moment. From there, we build practical, individualized strategies to reduce harm and increase awareness, whether that’s through stimulus control, replacement behaviors, sensory supports, or nervous system regulation. We also address the emotional layer—shame, frustration, and the cycle of trying to stop and feeling like you’ve “failed.” This work is not about willpower. It’s about understanding your brain and body, and creating realistic, supportive ways to shift patterns over time.
9 Years Experience
Online in Kernersville, NC North Carolina (Online Only)
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Kernersville, North Carolina Statistics
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Kernersville, North Carolina average 15 years of experience and charge around $233 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (83%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (50%), and Behavioral Therapy (50%).
Average years in practice
15 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$233
Accept insurance
33%
Offer sliding scale
42%
Gender ID
| 59% |
Female |
|
| 29% |
Male |
|
| 6% |
Gender Fluid |
|
| 6% |
Non-Binary |
|
Session Type
| 50% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 50% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 83% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 50% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 50% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 50% | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) |
| 42% | Family Systems Therapy |
| 42% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 42% | Psychoeducational Therapy |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 83% | Young Adult |
| 75% | Senior |
| 75% | Teen |
| 50% | Children |
Client Focus
| 50% | Women |
| 42% | LGBTQ+ |
| 42% | Military / Veterans |
| 42% | Persons with Disabilities |
| 33% | Christian |