Teenagers with Trichotillomania and Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRB)

✋ Break the Cycle: BFRB Therapy for Teenagers in Orlando

Support for Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, Nail Biting & Other Compulsive Behaviors

If you’re a teen struggling with hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (dermatillomania), nail biting, or other repetitive self-grooming behaviors, you're not weird, you're not weak—and you're not alone.

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) can be overwhelming. They often start as a way to cope with stress, boredom, or anxiety—but quickly turn into something that feels impossible to stop. At The Counseling Corner, we help teenagers understand what’s happening in their brains and bodies, and learn how to take back control—with tools that actually work.

🧠 What Are BFRBs?

BFRBs are repetitive, compulsive actions that cause damage to the body and often provide a short-term sense of relief or control. But over time, they can lead to:

  • Emotional shame

  • Avoidance of mirrors or social situations

  • Physical injury (like bald patches, scabs, or infections)

  • Feeling embarrassed or out of control

Common BFRBs include:

  • Trichotillomania – Hair pulling from the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes

  • Dermatillomania – Skin picking on the face, arms, or other areas

  • Onychophagia – Chronic nail biting or cuticle chewing

  • Cheek or lip biting – Repetitive self-injury inside the mouth

These aren’t just “bad habits”—they’re deeply tied to how your brain handles emotions, stress, and sensory feedback. And the good news? They’re treatable.

💬 What It Feels Like

Many teens describe BFRBs like this:

“I know I don’t want to do it, but I can’t stop.”
“I hide it because people don’t understand.”
“It helps me feel calm… for a second. Then I feel awful.”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You just haven’t learned the right strategies—yet.

🛠️ How We Help Teens with BFRBs

At The Counseling Corner, we provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for teens to talk, process, and learn skills that work. Our treatment approach is personalized and evidence-based.

Our Therapy Tools May Include:

  • CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Helps challenge the negative thoughts that fuel behaviors

  • Habit Reversal Training (HRT): Builds awareness and teaches “competing responses” to replace the behavior

  • Mindfulness & ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy): Helps regulate anxiety and tolerate difficult emotions

  • TF-CBT: Trauma-informed support if past experiences are contributing to the behavior

  • Self-esteem & body image work: Rebuilds confidence and a healthy sense of self

  • Creative tools: Journaling, drawing, and guided imagery to help externalize and process emotional distress

👨‍👩‍👧 What Parents Should Know

1. BFRBs are not just bad habits—they’re coping strategies.
Your teen isn’t doing this “for attention.” These behaviors often help manage anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional distress.

2. Shame makes BFRBs worse.
Teens often hide the behavior because they feel embarrassed or misunderstood. Compassion—not criticism—is key to supporting recovery.

3. Trying to force your teen to stop doesn’t work.
Punishment or pressure usually increases the behavior. Therapy teaches healthier, more effective ways to reduce symptoms over time.

4. You can support without enabling.
We’ll help you learn what to say (and what not to say) so you can be a safe, steady support at home—without reinforcing the cycle.

5. Early intervention prevents long-term damage.
The earlier we begin treatment, the easier it is to reduce harm, increase confidence, and build new tools for stress management.

🌟 Why Families Trust The Counseling Corner

  • 🧠 Licensed therapists with expertise in teen mental health and BFRBs

  • 💬 Judgment-free, supportive therapy tailored to adolescents

  • 🧩 Collaborative parent-teen approach when helpful

  • 🏡 Offices in Orlando, Clermont, and Orange City/Deland

  • 💻 Secure telehealth options across Florida

Our lead clinician for BFRB treatment, Michelle Buchanan, LMHC, LMFT, specializes in treating teens with trichotillomania, dermatillomania, nail biting, and more.

📞 Start Your Teen’s Healing Journey Today

You don’t have to live in hiding or shame.
With the right support, freedom is possible—and so is peace, confidence, and self-compassion.

Take the first step today.

📞 Call The Counseling Corner today at 407-843-4968
📧 Or email us at info@counselingcorner.net
🌐 Serving teens and families across Central Florida—in person and online

Start your healing now.

FAQs

  • Teens often face intense emotions, academic pressure, identity shifts, and social stress—all of which can trigger or worsen body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting are often used as a way to self-soothe or manage anxiety, boredom, or overwhelm. These behaviors are not simply “bad habits” or a phase—they are mental health concerns that deserve professional care. At Counseling Corner, we help teens uncover the emotional roots and build tools for real, lasting change

  • Yes, therapy can be incredibly effective in reducing BFRBs and helping you regain a sense of control. We use evidence-based techniques like Habit Reversal Training (HRT), CBT, and mindfulness to help you manage urges and create healthier coping tools. Many teens feel relieved just to talk openly without fear of shame or judgment. Our therapists are here to help you feel more confident in your skin—literally and emotionally.

  • BFRBs can make teens feel embarrassed, ashamed, or different, especially if visible signs like bald patches or scabs lead to teasing, questions, or isolation. Over time, this can chip away at self-confidence and increase anxiety or depression. At Counseling Corner, we help teens rebuild their self-image, set healthy boundaries, and learn how to advocate for themselves. Healing isn’t just about stopping the behavior—it’s about restoring your confidence and emotional freedom.

  • Therapy is a safe, private space where you can be honest without judgment. We’ll explore what triggers your behaviors, how you feel afterward, and what tools might help you feel better in the moment. Your therapist will guide you through practical strategies—like keeping your hands busy, tracking patterns, and shifting your mindset—to reduce the urge and regain control. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress and self-acceptance, one step at a time.