Psychologist, C.Psych.
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviours (BFRBs) is a term used to describe a number of ongoing repetitive self-grooming behaviours (including hair-pulling - Trichotillomania, skin-picking – Excoriation Disorder/Dermatillomania, nail-biting, teeth-grinding) that can cause lots of distress (e.g., shame, isolation) and impairment (e.g., avoidance of social situations, missed school, pain, hair loss) despite efforts to try and stop these behaviours.BFRBs are not simple habits that are easy to just stop if one tries hard enough. Seeking a specialized therapist is often needed to learn management and coping skills.
BFRBs are thought to be more common than once believed, affecting at least 2-5% of the general population. Unfortunately, despite being widespread, few doctors are aware of how to effectively treat these disorders leaving many individuals and their families confused and frightened about where to begin. Fortunately, at MindFit, we have treatment experts that offer comprehensive assessments as well as specialized and effective treatments for BFRBs.
MindFit’s approach to treating BFRBs involves (generally) a 10 session weekly Habit Busters program based on the Comprehensive Behavioural (ComB) treatment for BFRBs and involved additional components including Habit Reversal Training (which includes awareness training, competing response training, and social support), stimulus control procedures (considering environmental changes that make it harder to pick, pull etc.), distress tolerance and mindfulness strategies, and cognitive behavioural therapy (which includes addressing maladaptive/unhelpful thoughts that may contribute to pulling as well as that may impact her sense of confidence). The program is followed by biweekly to monthly booster sessions to help maintain gains. Handouts are sent ahead of each session and participants graduate from the program with a toolbox of strategies to manage BFRBs.