Habit Reversal Training (HRT)
Evidence-Based Therapy in Denver
Evidence-Based Therapy for Habits that Cause Harm
Habit Reversal Training is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to treat Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).
These are bodily grooming behaviors that cause injury to oneself by creating scarring, infection, hair loss or baldness, and other problems.
Examples of BFRBs are:
Trichomillomania (skin picking)
Dermatillomania (hair pulling)- formerly Excoriation Disorder
tics
teeth grinding
lip or cheek biting
nail picking or biting
nose picking
finger sucking
stuttering
Components of Habit Reversal Training
The following are part of HRT:
Education about your condition, HRT and CBT
Motivational interviewing to increase willingness to change
Tracking behaviors
Recognizing triggers
Learning and practicing competing responses
Practicing new behaviors
Emotion regulation and distress tolerance
Values clarification
Help for Long-Standing Negative Habits
Many clients with trichotillomania and other BFRBs have been struggling with these behaviors for years or decades. Often, clients don’t know even know that help for these behaviors exists. Shame can also get in the way of getting help for these issues.
The good news is, the vast majority of clients who engage in Habit Reversal Training with a trained professional will see improvement. Studies shows success rates of 50-100% for clients engaging in HRT.
Often, HRT is combined with medication to boost progress.
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Learn More About Child and Adolescent Therapy at CBT Denver
If you wish to know more about our approach to child play therapy, teen counseling and family therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out. We can help you decide what might be best for you and your child(ren) through an initial phone consultation and answer any questions you have.
