Getting the word out: cognitive-behavioral therapy for trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder) and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder.

BACKGROUND

To date, there has been no investigation of dissemination outcomes for cognitive-behavioral training programs for body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs).

METHODS

Sixty-three past participants of the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) intensive professional training institutes completed an online survey assessing referral sources, skills utilization, and treatment outcomes before and after training. The intensive training focused on the treatment of trichotillomania (hair-pulling) disorder and excoriation (skin-picking) disorder using in-person or videotaped didactics, role playing, and case presentations with supervision upon request.

RESULTS

Participants endorsed a greater number of referral sources and BFRB patients after attending training. Paired t tests indicated significant pre- to post-training increases in self-reported utilization of all individual cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) skills as well as overall mean skills usage (both P<.001). Changes after training in the reported percent of abstinent patients and mean reduction in symptom severity were also noted.

CONCLUSIONS

The TLC intensive professional training institutes may be useful for disseminating CBT skills for the treatment of BFRBs, but additional research is warranted.