YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW. THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS.

Therapy for trichotillomania in Encino and Los Angeles, California

If you struggle with hair-pulling, you’ve probably already tried to “just stop” and discovered it isn’t that simple. I’m a therapist specializing in trichotillomania therapy and other body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Together we can reduce shame, understand triggers, develop new coping tools, and create a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

People often come to therapy for trichotillomania because

  • they cannot control their hair pulling

  • loss of hair is impacting their daily lives and social functioning

  • they feel an immense sense of shame and “otherness” because of the pulling

  • they don’t know how to stop

  • they experience other body-focused repetitive behaviors such as nail biting, skin picking, or lip biting

TRICHOTILLOMANIA DOES NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE.

Growth is possible.

HOW I WORK WITH TRICHOTILLOMANIA

In therapy, you’ll find a compassionate, non‑judgmental space where we look at hair pulling with curiosity instead of shame. I use an integrative, evidence‑based approach that draws from:

  • Habit Reversal Training (HRT) to increase awareness of pulling patterns and develop alternative responses to urges

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to support emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and nervous system balance

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you change your relationship with urges, thoughts, and self‑criticism — without relying on force or suppression

Together, we explore what your pulling may be doing for you, what triggers or maintains it, and how to build skills that help you feel more in control and supported. Our goal isn’t perfection or “never pulling again,” but meaningful reduction, greater awareness, and long‑term relief — including planning for slips without shame or giving up.

Focused vs. Automatic Pulling

One of the first things we work on in therapy is understanding how your pulling happens. Many people experience more than one pattern:

  • Focused pulling often feels intentional and emotionally driven. You may notice urges increase with anxiety, overwhelm, frustration, boredom, or strong internal tension.

  • Automatic pulling tends to happen outside of awareness — during activities like watching TV, scrolling on your phone, working, or driving.

Learning the difference between focused and automatic pulling helps reduce self‑blame and allows us to choose tools that actually fit your experience, rather than using a one‑size‑fits‑all approach.

Other Body‑Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)

If you struggle with hair pulling, you may also notice other repetitive behaviors. I also work with people experiencing:

  • Skin picking (excoriation disorder)

  • Nail biting

  • Lip, cheek, or tongue biting

These behaviors often share underlying themes related to anxiety, emotional regulation, sensory needs, and the nervous system. In therapy, we focus on understanding what the behavior provides and finding healthier, more supportive ways to meet those needs.

Many people with trichotillomania have spent years feeling misunderstood or trying to manage on their own. Therapy can be a space where you don’t have to explain or hide — where the behavior is understood in context and addressed with care.

If you’re living with hair pulling or another body‑focused repetitive behavior and are looking for thoughtful, evidence‑based support, I’d be glad to talk with you about how therapy might help.

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  • Feel more in control of your pulling

  • Understand the core function of the behavior

  • Reduce shame and feel less isolated and alone in your experience

  • Learn techniques for emotional regulation and other alternatives for coping

Therapy for trichotillomania can help you…

  • Trichotillomania, also known as hair pulling disorder, is a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) that involves recurrent urges to pull out hair, often from the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes.

    Pulling is typically not about appearance — it’s often connected to tension, anxiety, boredom, or emotional regulation. Many people experience a temporary sense of relief after pulling, followed by shame or frustration.

  • Often, yes.

    Hair pulling frequently serves as a way to cope with anxiety, stress, or overwhelming emotions. For some, it’s triggered by specific feelings; for others, it happens automatically during activities like studying, scrolling, or watching TV.

    In therapy, we explore both the emotional triggers and the behavioral patterns that maintain the cycle.

  • Trichotillomania is not a lack of willpower.

    Hair pulling becomes a conditioned response in the nervous system. Over time, the behavior can feel automatic or soothing, even when you strongly want to stop. Shame and self-criticism often make the cycle worse.

    Therapy focuses on awareness, regulation skills, and evidence-based behavioral strategies to interrupt the pattern without increasing shame.

  • Treatment typically includes:

    • Identifying triggers and early urges
    • Increasing awareness of automatic pulling
    • Learning alternative regulation tools
    • Developing competing responses
    • Addressing underlying anxiety or perfectionism

    The goal isn’t perfection — it’s reducing frequency and intensity while building healthier coping strategies.

  • Yes. While it can be persistent, many people experience significant improvement with structured, supportive treatment.

    Progress often involves gradual change rather than immediate elimination. With consistency and self-compassion, urges can become more manageable and less controlling.

  • You can reach out through my contact form to schedule a consultation.

    We’ll talk about your experience with hair pulling, what you’ve tried before, and what goals feel realistic and supportive. I offer virtual sessions throughout California and in-person appointments in Encino when available.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THERAPY FOR TRICHOTILLOMANIA

You are not alone in this.