Trichotillomania Therapy in NYC

Let’s be real: the experience of trichotillomania can feel extremely isolating and misunderstood

I know you have you been there before…

You are sitting in a meeting and all of a sudden you notice a pile of hair starting to accumulate… before that moment if felt so unconscious

You are watching a TV show with your friend and suddenly they ask why you are pulling out your eyelashes… you feel a bit violated

Your mom notices you pulling and she reaches over to move your hand… it made you angry for your autonomy to be taken away

Your family is making comments about what your hair used to look like before… it is starting to impact your self-esteem

Even the moments where you notice the urges, it feels nearly impossible to stop

As a therapist who has been bald since age 6 due to Alopecia and has also has experienced skin picking from a young age, my approach to BFRB treatment might be a bit different than what you have experienced with other professionals. While I believe that behavioral approaches, such as the Comprehensive Behavioral Approach for BFRBs (ComB), are great, I also believe more is needed.

When it comes to supporting my clients with BFRBs, it is important for me that YOU to tell me what you would like for your life. I work with my clients collaboratively to determine what works best for their unique needs and goals. Some of the goals we may create together could include…

• Decrease shame about engaging in a BFRB

• Increase self-compassion and self-acceptance

• Learn alternative coping strategies to decrease engagement in the BFRB

• Gain deeper understanding of your individual BFRB triggers

• How to communicate or set boundaries with friends/family relating to your BFRB (ex: how to ask them to stop commenting about it, ways to explain to family that BFRBs are not something you can just ‘stop’)

• or anything else you desire!

I firmly believe that BFRBs should not solely be approached with trying to “exterminate” the behavior. I have found this only creates more shame and does not empower people to decide what they truly want for themselves. In working together, we will create your individualized goals and help you decide what you want for your BFRB journey. Using a combination of techniques such as ComB, self compassion practices and more, we will individualized your treatment to your unique experience rather than just rely on one textbook approach.

It is possible your BFRB may also overlap with other struggles such as…

• Anxiety / OCD

• ADHD / neurodivergence

• Patterns of overthinking

• Low self-esteem

BFRBs can feel extremely isolating. Just know, you are not alone and you can live a life that doesn’t feel defined by your BFRB.

And I can help you get there.