Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Abilene, TX
Browse Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Abilene, Texas. Compare credentials, specialties and therapeutic approach. Contact a therapist to learn more.
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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 Abilene, TX (Online Only)
BFRB
Dr. Christopher Lowery, DHSc, CLCP
Clinical Health Practitioner, Board-Certified Life Care Planner
This component is for individuals struggling with body-focused repetitive behaviors, supporting self-awareness, coping strategies, and skill-building to reduce urges and improve emotional and daily functioning.
24 Years Experience
Online in Abilene, TX
BFRB
Smee Wellness LLC
Counselor/Therapist, LPC, LCPC, LCMHC
Skin picking, hair pulling, nail biting — these behaviors often carry a quiet weight of shame that makes them harder to talk about. We create a space where you can explore the function these behaviors serve and build gentler alternatives, without judgment or pressure to be "perfect" about progress.
11 Years Experience
Online in Abilene, TX (Online Only)
BFRB
Seven Hills Psychology
Psychologist, Psychologist
We offer treatment of body-focused repetitive behaviors.
18 Years Experience
Online in Abilene, TX
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 Abilene, TX (Online Only)
Abilene is a West Texas city home to Dyess Air Force Base—host of a B-1 Lancer bomber wing—as well as three Christian universities: Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene Christian University, and McMurry University, giving the city a distinctive identity anchored by military service and faith-based education. The strong evangelical Christian cultural context shapes how mental health is discussed and accessed in the community, with many residents preferring faith-integrated therapy or pastoral counseling as a primary mode of support. Military and veteran mental health needs—particularly trauma, PTSD, and family stress—are a significant part of the Abilene therapy landscape, and the city's position in remote West Texas means that access to specialist care can require telehealth or significant travel. Common therapy concerns include faith and mental health, military service and transition stress, anxiety, depression, and the challenges of living in a close-knit, religiously conservative community in an isolated regional city.
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Abilene, TX Statistics
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors therapists in Abilene, TX average 14 years of experience and charge around $238 per session. 100% offer online sessions. The top treatment approaches are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (83%), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) (58%), and Behavioral Therapy (50%).
Average years in practice
14 Years Experience
Average cost per session
$238
Accept insurance
33%
Offer sliding scale
33%
Gender ID
| 77% |
Female |
|
| 23% |
Male |
|
Session Type
| 50% |
In Person and Online |
|
| 50% |
Online Only |
|
Top Treatment Approaches
| 83% | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) |
| 58% | Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) |
| 50% | Behavioral Therapy |
| 42% | Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) |
| 42% | Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) |
| 42% | Psychoeducational Therapy |
| 42% | Relational Psychotherapy |
Ages Served
| 100% | Adult |
| 83% | Young Adult |
| 75% | Teen |
| 58% | Senior |
| 50% | Children |
Client Focus
| 50% | Women |
| 42% | LGBTQ+ |
| 33% | Men |
| 33% | Military / Veterans |
| 33% | Persons with Disabilities |