Treating Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors: Utilizing Awareness, Compassion and Evidence-Based Practices

Course overview

This interactive training introduces treatment for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs; e.g., hair pulling, skin picking, nail and cheek biting). It will include a review of diagnostic criteria for BFRBs, an overview of their clinical presentation and related assessment, and a visual framework for conceptualizing BFRBs. We will also discuss evidence-based approaches for working with BFRBs, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), the Comprehensive Behavioral Model (ComB), Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). We will further discuss modifications for special populations (e.g., children and adolescents, cultural orientation factors to consider) and managing treatment setbacks. Experiential activities, small group discussions, role-plays, and sharing lived experience will be used to further application and synthesis of the information provided. Following the training, attendees will have the opportunity to enroll in a 4-session consult group to receive further support around working with BFRB clients.