BFRB Therapy for Trichotillomania & Dermatillomania New York

Online Dermatillomania and Trichotillomania treatment across New York

You have likely been there before…

Picking at your skin without realizing it, then looking down & noticing blood on your thumb in the middle of a meeting.

A friend points out you’re pulling out your eyelashes, or a family member reaches over to stop your picking, leaving you feeling exposed or angry.

Comments about how your hair “used to look” sting, and even when you notice the urges yourself, stopping feels nearly impossible.

bfrb therapist nyc

BFRBs are often misunderstood, but here you don’t have to worry about your experience being invalidated.

Searching for BFRB therapy in NYC can feel like an overwhelming step due to how often BFRBs are misunderstood. I am sure you have encountered people in your life who told you “just stop” and it felt incredibly frustrating. I am so glad you are here and decided to find someone who can understand your experience.

People who haven’t experienced skin picking or hair pulling often don’t realize someone simply can’t “stop”. On the outside, it may look like this, but many don’t understand what it feels like internally when dealing with a BFRB. There are many factors that contribute to a BFRB such as genetics, their unconscious nature, the sensory satisfaction and much more. In our space, you will have a validating environment to explore how your BFRB has impacted your life.

My approach to supporting folks with BFRBs in therapy combines traditional behavioral interventions to decrease the behavior (using ComB and HRT), along with with acceptance and self-compassion practices. There is often a lot of shame and embarrassment associated with BFRBs. I have found most clients find more success with this blended approach for this reason. If you’re desiring to feel more in control of your BFRB, we can help you get there.

HRT (Habit Reversal Therapy) or ComB (Comprehensive Behavioral Approach) Therapy might be right for you if…

  • You are looking for strategies to help manage and decrease the BFRB behavior

  • You are in search of increased self-acceptance and reduced shame

  • Your BFRB has started impacting your body image or self-esteem

  • You want to explore underlying triggers contributing to these behaviors and find tailored coping tools

Related support areas…

Eating Disorder Therapy | Therapy OCD & Anxiety | BFRB Therapy | Body-Positive Therapy | Neuroaffirming Therapy | Body Image Therapy

BFRB Therapist NYC

Alison Mann, LCSW, BFRB Specialist

Specialties

  • Trichotillomania (hair pulling)

  • Dermatillomania (skin picking)

  • Anxiety

  • OCD

  • Body image

  • Body dysmorphia

  • ADHD

Modalities

  • ComB

  • HRT

  • CBT

  • ACT

  • Mindfulness

  • Self compassion practices

  • Neurodivergent affirming

FAQs

  • In our first session together, we will explore the history of your BFRB and ways it is impacting your life. From there, we will talk about your goals related to your BFRB and create a treatment plan accordingly. It will likely include some logging exercises in between sessions (using the ComB approach) to help us gain greater awareness to specific triggers which will help us identify the best coping tools and interventions for you.

  • If your BFRB is starting to impact your life negatively or you feel surrounded by people who do not understand, it is likely you will benefit from specialized BFRB therapy.

  • Making sure you find a therapist who is a good fit is crucial. That is why we will start with a 15min consultation together. During this call, I will explore what you are looking for and you will be able to ask me any questions as well. If we decide it is a good fit, then we will schedule our initial appointment!

    If for any reason it is not a good fit, then I am happy to offer you referrals.