Resources & Support
A hand-picked collection of books, communities, tools, and support for your healing journey with dermatillomania and trichotillomania.
Table of Contents
Communities
Connect with others who understand
r/Dermatillomania
Large community for compulsive skin picking. Text-only posts to avoid triggering content.
r/trichotillomania
Active community for hair pullers to share stories, struggles, and support.
r/calmhands
Community for those trying to stop nail biting, skin picking, and related BFRBs.
r/CompulsiveSkinPicking
Companion subreddit allowing photos and visual support content for skin picking.
Skin Picking Support
Online support through monthly peer-led meetings and regular group gatherings.
Dermatillomania Awareness
Large Facebook community for dermatillomania awareness and support.
Dermatillomania (Skin-Picking) Support Group
Active support group for those affected by skin picking disorder.
TrichStop Forum
Online forum with discussions, support, and resources for trichotillomania.
Skin Picking Support Community
Resources, monthly peer-led meetings via Google Meet. Founded by advocate Angela Hartlin.
BFRB Changemakers Support Group
Free peer support for adults (18+). Meets first Sunday monthly 3:30-5pm ET.
DermaMania BFRB Support Group
Free peer-led meetings for skin picking, hair pulling, and nail biting. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, hosted by certified peer supporter Tanja M.
ASOA BFRB Support Group
Free public support group for dermatillomania, trichotillomania, and other BFRBs. Led by Dr. Chris Noble of Anxiety Specialists of Atlanta, 1st Wednesday monthly 1-2pm ET.
BFRB Support Group
Free peer-led Zoom group for hair pulling and skin picking, open to all ages plus family and friends. Meets 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, run by Bobbie.
Massachusetts Area BFRB Support Group
Free peer-led virtual support group for adults with skin picking, hair pulling, and nail biting. Monthly Zoom meetings open to anyone with a BFRB, run by Olivia.
GAM CRCC-España
Free Spanish-language peer support group for adults with BFRBs (CRCC in Spanish). Meets online the first Sunday of every month, run by Ainhoa, Beatriz, Cris and José Manuel.
NYC BFRB Support Group
Free peer-led group for adults with hair pulling and skin picking in the NYC area. Meets every Tuesday evening, in person once a month and via Zoom the other weeks, run by Samantha.
Portland BFRB Support Group
Free peer support group for adults with any BFRB. Meets virtually once a month with occasional in-person meetups in Portland, open to members anywhere, run by Sarah.
Eugene BFRB Support Group
In-person peer support group for adults with hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting. Meets every other Thursday evening at Guided Ability in Eugene, Oregon, run by Sarah.
Buckeye State BFRBs
Free peer support group for Ohioans 13 and up with skin picking, hair pulling, and other BFRBs; loved ones welcome. Meets virtually the second Sunday of every month, run by Susan.
BFRB Moms Support Group
Free peer-led support group for moms who themselves have BFRBs. Meets via Zoom the second Thursday of every month, run by Jess, Hilary, and Jen.
Women's BFRB Support Group
Virtual support group for women with BFRBs, moderated by therapist Andrea Alvarez of AMA Behavioral Therapy in Texas. Meets the second Wednesday of every month; space is limited.
Imani: Black Young Adults BFRB Support Group
Virtual support group for Black young adults ages 18-35 with BFRBs, fostering faith, hope, and community. Meets the third Wednesday of every month, run by Saharra Dixon; registration required.
OSPA (Obsessive Skin Pickers Anonymous)
12-step recovery fellowship for compulsive skin picking, running free Zoom and phone meetings since 2004. Rotating weekly schedule with topic, literature, and meditation meetings.
Books
Evidence-based reading for your journey
Podcasts
Listen and learn on the go
Beyond Skin Picking & Hair Pulling
Raffaela Marie
Weekly podcast from a coach who picked for 15 years, covering urges, shame and the day-to-day of healing from picking, pulling and biting. Over 125 episodes.
Trich Talks!
Barbara Lally
Weekly conversations with people who live with trichotillomania, hosted by the author of The Trichster Diaries, alongside her own updates on pulling and recovery.
The BFRB Podcast
Jose Alvear, LCSW & Ashley Robles
Explores BFRBs through personal recovery stories and interviews with advocates and mental health professionals.
The Dermatillo-Diaries
Kim (15+ years experience)
The Skin Picking Podcast. Features expert interviews and personal stories. Highly rated with engaged community.
BFRB.care
Dr. Christina Gallinat
German-language podcast on skin picking, trichotillomania and other BFRBs, hosted by a Heidelberg University psychologist and BFRB researcher. Nearly 50 episodes with expert interviews.
I Have Dermatillomania (Fit Women's Weekly)
Kindal Boyle
Personal-experience episode where fitness trainer Kindal Boyle opens up about her own skin picking, from her Fit Women's Weekly podcast.
The Truth About Mental Health
Paula Sweet, Absolute Mind
Mental health podcast by a UK counsellor and clinical hypnotherapist, with 300+ episodes and millions of downloads. Covers anxiety, habits and trichotillomania.
From Compulsive Skin Picking to Compulsive Charcoal (The OCD Stories)
Stuart Ralph with Liz Atkin
Episode of The OCD Stories where artist Liz Atkin talks about her experience with compulsive skin picking, her one-minute charcoal drawings and recovery tips. The show has interviewed OCD experts and people in recovery weekly since 2015, with over 8 million downloads.
YouTube & Creators
Watch and learn from the community
Kati Morton, LMFT
Licensed therapist with videos specifically on trichotillomania and skin picking, explaining their connection to anxiety.
The 6 Things Everyone Should Know About BFRBs
Prof Clare Mackay (The Trich Prof) — Oxford neuroscientist who has lived with trichotillomania for 40+ years — breaks down six essential facts about BFRBs in a clear, compassionate 5-minute video.
If You Care About Human Distress, You Should Care About BFRBs
Prof Clare Mackay's full-length talk on why BFRBs deserve serious attention — covering neuroscience, the role of shame, stigma from professionals, and why these conditions are chronically under-researched.
Professional Organizations
Trusted advocacy and resources
TLC Foundation for BFRBs
Est. 1991World's leading authority on BFRBs since 1991. Education, support groups, research funding, professional training, and annual conferences.
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
Est. 1986Major mental health organization with specific BFRB programs and ComB treatment information. Partnering with TLC Foundation.
ADAA
Est. 1979Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Provides BFRB resources, webinars, and educational content.
The BFRB Foundation
Est. 2026Nonprofit dedicated to BFRBs — education to understand what's happening, community to feel less alone, and help finding qualified providers.
BFRB UK & Ireland
Est. 2015Charitable organization offering free peer-led online support groups fortnightly for adults and monthly for loved ones.
Trichotillomania Support UK
Est. 2010UK-based nonprofit offering BFRB coaching services by people in recovery. Uses HRT, ACT, and holistic approaches.
Picking Me Foundation
Est. 2016Only nonprofit worldwide dedicated specifically to Dermatillomania. Support groups, art gallery, awareness campaigns.
Skin Picking und Trichotillomanie e.V.
Est. 2023German association for skin picking, trichotillomania and other BFRBs. Runs 17 local self-help groups plus an online group, and organizes the BFRB Tage conference.
Free from BFRB
Est. 2020Developed with University Medical Center Hamburg. Free scientifically-based self-help techniques through videos and text.
Find a Therapist
Professional support for your recovery
SkinAware Therapist Directory
Our own curated directory of BFRB specialists — filter by condition, profession, and location.
Browse specialistsTLC Foundation Therapist Directory
The leading BFRB-specific directory. Therapists with 'VPTI' completed TLC's professional training.
TrichStop Provider Directory
State-by-state directory of therapists specializing in CBT, HRT, and ComB treatment.
IOCDF Resource Directory
2,000+ therapists. Filterable by Hair Pulling and Skin Picking specialties with teletherapy options.
Psychology Today Directory
Large general directory filterable by 'Trichotillomania' or 'Skin Picking' under Issues.
Zocdoc BFRB Treatment Finder
Search platform with real-time availability, insurance filtering, and video visit options.
Micaela Magazzu-Alaman, LMFT
San Diego therapist specializing in BFRBs. TLC Foundation VPTI-trained, working with ComB and habit reversal.
Superbloom Psychology — Kelsey Shogren, PsyD
Berkeley clinical psychologist specializing in hair pulling and skin picking, with lived experience of trichotillomania. Virtual sessions throughout California, plus a free BFRB resource hub.
Lisa Hayes, The Trich Counsellor
UK counsellor with lived experience of BFRBs, working with trichotillomania online or face to face in Bristol and Hutton. BACP registered, MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy, ages 16+.
Paula Sweet, Absolute Mind
UK counsellor and clinical hypnotherapist in Milton Keynes working with hair pulling through CBT, habit reversal and hypnotherapy. Sessions in person or online.
The Center for Emotional Health
Practice founded by Dr. Marla Deibler, co-author of The BFRB Recovery Workbook. Offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York, telehealth in 40+ PsyPact states, and a free monthly BFRB support group.
Inlight Psychiatry & Therapy
Psychiatry and therapy practice in Orlando and Tampa with a psychodermatology focus covering skin picking and trichotillomania. Telehealth available across Florida.
Juniper Mental Health
Utah practice specializing in BFRBs, OCD and anxiety, working with ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy, exposure therapies and habit reversal. Several of its psychologists take individual clients online across PsyPact states.
Kate L. Morrison, PhD
Founder of Juniper Mental Health, specializing in hair pulling, skin picking and nail biting alongside OCD and anxiety. Sees adults online in Utah and PsyPact states using habit reversal and ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy.
Mac Gilbert, PhD
Co-founder of Juniper Mental Health working with BFRBs, OCD and anxiety. Graduate of the IOCDF Behavior Therapy Training Institute, seeing older adolescents and adults online in Utah and PsyPact states.
Michael P. Twohig, PhD
Utah State University professor and co-author of the ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy manual for trichotillomania. Takes a small number of adolescent and adult clients at Juniper Mental Health, licensed in Utah.
Garrett Pollert, PhD
Clinical psychologist at Juniper Mental Health treating hair pulling and skin picking with ACT-Enhanced Behavior Therapy, alongside OCD, anxiety and eating disorders. Adults, online in Utah, Oklahoma and PsyPact states.
Clarissa Ong, PhD
Psychologist at Juniper Mental Health and University of Louisville researcher, specializing in OCD, perfectionism and BFRBs. Sees adults online in Kentucky and PsyPact states using habit reversal and ACT.
Jose Alvear, LCSW (BFRB Institute)
Bilingual therapist who lives with skin picking himself and now treats every kind of BFRB with CBT, ERP, habit reversal and ComB. Virtual appointments in New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon and Tennessee, with a sliding scale and a free consultation.
Tip: Look for therapists trained in Habit Reversal Training (HRT) or Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment (ComB)
Tools & Fidgets
Physical aids for busy hands
HabitAware Keen2 Smart Bracelet
NIH-funded bracelet detecting hair pulling and skin picking. Vibrates to increase awareness.
FidgetFidget Megapack for BFRBs
Therapy Shoppe curated pack of 35 specialty sensory fidgets. Ages 8+.
SensoryReusable Picky Pads
Silicone-like pads with tiny beads to pick out. Can be re-melted repeatedly.
SensoryFuzzi Wuzzi Snap Fidgets
Soft, furry snap bracelets with long fuzzy fur for running fingers through.
SensoryPick Apart Cork Squares
6-inch flat cork squares for digging, scratching, and picking. Tactile distraction.
BarrierPuller-Picker Finger Guards
Stretchy, textured gel finger covers. Covers fingernail while leaving fingertip open.
BarrierThumbSnuggler
Custom-made breathable fabric finger covers in multiple sizes and colors. Etsy shop.
BarrierFingy Thingy Finger Covers
Soft, stretchy finger sleeves creating breathable barrier. Reusable 10-pack.
RepairZanova Collagen Hand Mask
Collagen treatment hand mask with hyaluronic acid and vitamins C & E, made for skin picking and nail biting damage.
DirectoryBFRB Safe Salon & Spa Directory
Salons and spas that understand BFRBs, searchable by US state plus international listings. Free to use.
GuideAbility Toolbox Fidget Guide
Comprehensive guide to fidget toys for skin picking and hair pulling.
Research & Articles
Science-backed knowledge
Excoriation (skin-picking) disorder: a systematic review of treatment options
Lochner et al. • Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment
Pharmacological and behavioral treatment for trichotillomania: Updated meta-analysis
Farhat et al. • Yale University • 24 RCTs, 857 participants
Systematic review: pharmacological and behavioral treatment for trichotillomania
Bloch et al. • Foundational review comparing HRT vs SSRIs
Prevalence of skin picking (excoriation) disorder
Grant & Chamberlain • 10,169 adults • 2.1% current, 3.1% lifetime prevalence
Characteristics of 262 adults with skin picking disorder
Grant et al. • Peak onset age 12.9 years, 87% female
Comprehensive Behavioral Therapy of Trichotillomania
Frontiers in Psychology • ComB treatment approach effectiveness
Skin-picking disorder: Risk factors, comorbidities, and treatments
JAAD Reviews • Covers ADHD, PTSD, depression comorbidities
Courses & Programs
Structured learning for recovery
ACT Guide for Trichotillomania
Utah State University
ACT Guide for Skin Picking
Utah State University
StopPulling.com
Interactive Self-Help
StopPicking.com
Evidence-based CBT
BFRB Class
Juniper Mental Health
BFRB School
Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT
TrichStop Online Therapy
41% avg symptom reduction
SkinPick Online Therapy
6,000+ people • 91% improvement
TLC Foundation Events
Webinars, Hangouts, Conference
Blogs & Personal Stories
Real voices, real experiences
“My Story”
27-year journey from hiding the behavior to diagnosis in 2013 to becoming the Picking Me Foundation founder.
— Lauren McKeaney
“Overcoming Trichotillomania”
TEDx Fargo talk sharing 25+ year journey with trich and how awareness became the key to transformation. 200,000+ views.
— Aneela Idnani
“My Skin Picking Story”
Truly Channel documentary sharing 27+ year journey with compulsive skin picking and path to advocacy.
— Lauren McKeaney
“Shaving My Hair Off”
Viral emotional video documenting the 7th time Rebecca shaved her head. Featured by major media outlets.
— Rebecca Brown (TrichJournal)
“Under The Skin”
Personal essay tracing skin picking from childhood through adulthood, connection to anxiety, and recovery struggles.
— Jasmine T D Scott
“Thank Your Lucky Scars”
Trauma-informed approach to dermatillomania through IFS, inner child work and nervous system regulation.
— Sandra
“Angela Hartlin”
Author and advocate sharing her ongoing journey with dermatillomania. Founder of Skin Picking Support.
— Angela Hartlin
“TLC Foundation Stories”
Collection of personal stories from the BFRB community. Share your own journey or read others' experiences.
— Community Members
“Liz Atkin”
Artist and advocate who turns her compulsive skin picking into charcoal drawings and photographs. She has given away more than 18,000 free #CompulsiveCharcoal drawings to commuters in London, New York, Singapore and beyond.
— Liz Atkin
“Dear Skin Picker”
Newsletter with practical, compassionate essays on living with dermatillomania, from the creator behind The Dermatillo-Diaries podcast.
— Kim (Kim on Skin)
Crisis Resources
You're not alone. Help is available.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
24/7 support in 250+ languages. US national crisis line.
24/7 AvailableCrisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
Free 24/7 text support. Works in US, Canada, UK, Ireland.
Samaritans (UK)
Call 116 123 (free)
24/7 non-judgmental emotional support for anyone in distress.
SHOUT (UK)
Text SHOUT to 85258
UK's 24/7 free, confidential text service for mental health.
9-8-8 Crisis Helpline (Canada)
Call or text 9-8-8
Canada's 24/7 national helpline. English and French.
Lifeline Australia
Call 13 11 14
24-hour crisis counseling and suicide prevention.
TLC Foundation Support Groups
Online peer support
Groups specifically for trichotillomania, skin picking, and BFRBs.
If you're in immediate danger, please call emergency services (911) right away.