{"id":1204,"date":"2019-12-17T18:43:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T18:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.amandalcpc.com\/?page_id=1204"},"modified":"2026-01-21T12:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T18:42:46","slug":"body-focused-repetitive-behaviors","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.amandalcpc.com\/index.php\/body-focused-repetitive-behaviors\/","title":{"rendered":"Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome! If you have found this page, you or somebody you love may be experiencing Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors, and would like to learn more. BFRBs include hair pulling (Trichotillomania), skin picking (Dermatillomania or Excoriation), nail biting, skin eating, hair eating, nail picking, cheek biting, tongue chewing and lip biting. There are promising treatments that have emerged, and I am honored to have been trained by the TLC Foundation for BFRBs in order to provide you with them.

Contact me at 785-477-9117 or info@amandalcpc.com<\/a> for more information! Amanda can see residents of the state of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Maine, Missouri, Michigan, and Florida via teletherapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Trichotillomania (hair pulling) and Excoriation (skin picking) are two common types of Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors. This category of related behaviors involves compulsively damaging one’s physical appearance or causing injury by repeatedly touching one’s hair\/body.  The cause of BFRBs is unknown but can be exacerbated by anxiety, so it is not uncommon to see a diagnosis of another anxiety disorder along with Trichotillomania and Excoriation disorder.  Individuals will often report sensations at the site of pulling\/picking, faulty cognitions and overwhelming emotions that lead to pulling\/picking, and motor behaviors and patterns that lead to these habits.  My practice utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, including  the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) Model and Habit Reversal Training to address these concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trainings & Memberships<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Amanda Petrik-Gardner is a member of The TLC Foundation for BFRBs. Amanda has completed the Virtual Professional Training Institute through The TLC Foundation for BFRBs and has extensive training in both the Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) Model and Habit Reversal Training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Resources for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Click on the following link to view BFRB Resources from me to you. Stay tuned for more resources!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pulling\/Picking Log (Functional Analysis)<\/a>
Activities To Occupy Hands<\/a>
OCD and Anxiety Online: Overcome Hair Pulling & Skin Picking by Nathan Peterson<\/a>
My BFRB\/Fidget Recommendations<\/a>
Pre-Recorded Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors Webinar<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Habit Blockers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The items listed here assist in blocking the hair pulling, skin picking, or nail biting.\u00a0 They are especially beneficial for individuals that pull, pick, or bite habitually and are unaware they are doing it.\u00a0 Utilize these items on your fingers or the site of the picking\/pulling\/biting, such as your fingertips, scalp, eye brows or lashes, or on your skin.

Rubber Finger Tips<\/a>
Fingertip Grips<\/a>
Fingertip Protectors<\/a>
Bandaids<\/a>
Surgical Tape<\/a>
Gloves<\/a>
Hats
Head Bands
Eye Mask<\/a>
HabitAware Bracelet<\/a> (use this referral link for 12% off)
Spiral Hair Ties<\/a>
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Sensory Stimulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The items listed here assist in providing the sensory stimulation that one is seeking when they engage in hair pulling or skin picking.  The sensory stimulation may be from the site of the fingertips, the scalp, skin, eye brows, lashes, or lips (if you run hair through your lips).  Experiment with different items that provide you with the same sensory stimulation as you receive when you pull or pick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yarn\/thread<\/a>
Hair extensions<\/a>
Pipe cleaners<\/a>
Floss<\/a>
Ribbons<\/a>
Play\/Juggling Scarves<\/a>
Metal Scalp Massager<\/a>
Scalp massaging brush<\/a>
Spiky Sensory Rings<\/a>
Wide tooth comb<\/a>
Pumice stone<\/a>
Sponge<\/a>
Velcro<\/a>
Koosh ball<\/a>
Silly Putty<\/a>
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty<\/a>
Baby Brush<\/a>
Sensory Stretchy Strings<\/a>
Spaghetti Ball Fidget<\/a>
Baby Toothbrush<\/a>
Simpl Dimpl Popper<\/a>
Fidget Pop Tubes<\/a>
Stretchy Strings<\/a>
Chewing Necklace<\/a>
Spiral Hair Ties<\/a>
Sensory Bracelet<\/a>
Makeup Brushes
Face Roller<\/a>
Pick N Peel Stones
<\/a>Popping Fidget<\/a>
Spoolie Eyelash Brush<\/a>
Eyebrow Brush<\/a>
Stress Relief Snapper<\/a>
Squishy Pencil Grips<\/a>
Calm Strips<\/a> (use discount code “AMANDA10” for 10% off)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emotional Regulation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The items listed here provide an individual with a way to relieve different overwhelming emotions that could be increasing their hair pulling, skin picking, or nail biting.  These emotions could include stress, anxiety, sadness, anger and frustration, loneliness, disappointment, and more.  These emotional regulation items may be used when experiencing these emotions as a more helpful way to cope instead of hair pulling, skin picking, or nail biting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stress balls<\/a>
Tangles<\/a>
Wacky Tracks<\/a>
Fidget toys<\/a>
Marble Fidget Toy<\/a>
Fidget Pop Tubes<\/a>
Koosh balls<\/a>
Silly Putty<\/a>
Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty<\/a>
Simpl Dimpl Popper<\/a>
Stretchy Strings<\/a>
Popping Fidget<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional activities to improve emotional regulation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diaphragmatic Breathing
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Journaling
Exercise
Meditation
Yoga
Talking With Friends\/Family
Volunteer Work
Affirmations
Expressing Gratitude
Positive Visualization<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Join our mailing list!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receive helpful information about anxiety disorders, OCD, and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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