Acceptance-Enhanced Behavior Therapy for Trichotillomania in Youth.

Trichotillomania is a debilitating and chronic condition involving repeated hair pulling from various areas of the body. Trichotillomania often begins in childhood, suggesting that the development and understanding of treatments for trichotillomania in youth are of utmost importance, especially for successful early intervention. While habit reversal training (HRT) is considered the gold standard treatment for trichotillomania in young people, this article reviews a nascent treatment approach for trichotillomania in youth, acceptance-enhanced behavior therapy (AEBT). AEBT combines HRT and acceptance and commitment therapy skills. Each component of AEBT is described and reviewed. A detailed case exemplar of the 10-session protocol is presented. Future research directions and important clinical considerations are discussed.