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.
Books
Evidence-based reading for your journey
Podcasts
Listen and learn on the go
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.
YouTube & Creators
Watch and learn from the community
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.
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.
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
TLC 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.
Canadian BFRB Treatment Providers
Canadian-specific directory organized by province. Many providers are TLC VPTI graduates.
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.
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.
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 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
“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
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.