Trichotillomania and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors in Children

(BFRB)

✋ Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB) Therapy for Children in Orlando

Gentle, Effective Support for Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, Nail Biting & More

If your child is struggling with hair pulling, skin picking, or chronic nail biting, you're not alone—and neither are they. These Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) can leave children feeling confused, ashamed, and out of control—and leave parents feeling helpless.

At The Counseling Corner, we provide compassionate, developmentally appropriate therapy for children with BFRBs. We help kids understand their behaviors, reduce urges, and build healthier emotional coping skills—all in a space where they feel safe, understood, and never judged.

🧠 What Are BFRBs?

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors are self-soothing actions that a child may feel compelled to repeat, often to manage internal distress like anxiety, boredom, fear, or overwhelm. These are not bad habits—they’re coping mechanisms tied to emotional regulation challenges.

Common BFRBs in Children:

  • Trichotillomania: Repeated pulling of hair from the scalp, eyelashes, or eyebrows

  • Dermatillomania (Excoriation Disorder): Frequent skin picking, sometimes to the point of scabs or sores

  • Onychophagia: Chronic nail biting or nail skin chewing

  • Lip or Cheek Biting: Repetitive self-grooming behaviors that can cause harm

These behaviors can lead to physical discomfort, infections, scarring, social withdrawal, and intense emotional distress—especially as children begin to notice others' reactions or struggle to stop on their own.

🧒 What BFRBs Look Like in Children

Children may:

  • Pull or pick during quiet times, such as reading or bedtime

  • Create rituals or routines around their behaviors

  • Feel ashamed or try to hide evidence of their actions (hair, scabs, fingernails)

  • Become anxious before school or social events

  • Feel “stuck” in the behavior, even if they desperately want to stop

  • Say things like: “I don’t know why I do it” or “I just can’t stop”

These behaviors are often misunderstood—and children may feel guilt, frustration, or fear about what’s happening to them.

💡 What Parents Should Know

1. This is not your fault—and it’s not theirs.
BFRBs are not a sign of weakness, parenting failure, or a behavioral problem. They're linked to emotional regulation, anxiety, sensory needs, and neurological wiring.

2. You can’t “discipline” this away.
Punishment or pressure to stop often increases shame and makes the behavior worse. The key is gentle awareness, skill-building, and compassion.

3. Your child may not fully understand why they do it.
Kids often describe it as “automatic” or “something I do when I don’t even notice.” Therapy helps build awareness and understanding.

4. Early intervention is powerful.
The earlier we support a child’s emotional regulation and self-esteem, the better we can reduce the long-term impact of BFRBs.

5. You are part of the healing process.
We’ll coach you on how to support your child without reinforcing the behavior, and how to respond with empathy instead of fear.

🛠️ How We Treat BFRBs at The Counseling Corner

We use evidence-based, child-friendly approaches that help children manage their urges, understand their emotions, and grow more confident in their ability to choose new behaviors.

Our child BFRB therapy includes:

  • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – Helps kids identify triggers and challenge anxious or perfectionistic thoughts

  • Habit Reversal Training (HRT) – Teaches awareness and introduces healthier, competing responses

  • Mindfulness & ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) – Builds tolerance of uncomfortable feelings without acting on them

  • TF-CBT (for trauma-related BFRBs) – Gently addresses deeper emotional wounds tied to the behavior

  • Play & Expressive Therapies – Allows children to explore body image, control, and self-worth through play, art, and metaphor

  • Parent Coaching & Family Therapy – Guides caregivers in supporting progress without judgment or over-accommodation

💬 A Parent’s Reflection

"I used to think she was doing it for attention. Once I understood it was her brain’s way of coping, I stopped trying to control the behavior—and started learning how to support her. The difference in her confidence is incredible."
— Parent of a 9-year-old with Trichotillomania

👩‍⚕️ Our BFRB Specialist

The Counseling Corner has an expert in treating Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) including Trichotillomania, Dermatillomania (Excoriation Disorder), Onychophagia and Lip or cheek biting ready to help you today:T

Michelle Buchanan, LMHC, LMFT
Michelle specializes in treating BFRBs in children, teens, and families using a warm, affirming, and practical approach.

📞 Take the First Step Toward Healing

Your child deserves to feel safe in their own body—and you deserve a plan that brings clarity, relief, and real change.

Contact The Counseling Corner today at 📞 Call (407) 843-4968 or email info@counselingcorner.net to – Start your child’s healing now.