Understanding BFRBs (Skin Picking & Hair Pulling) in Teens with Laura Chackes | Teens: No Cap Ep. 51

Welcome back to another episode of the Teens: No Cap! In Episode 51, host Charity Chaffee sits down with Laura Chackes, a psychologist and owner of the Center for Mindfulness and CBT in St. Louis, Missouri. Laura specializes in treating anxiety, OCD, and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).In this important conversation, we explore the heavily stigmatized and under-recognized world of BFRBs. Laura sheds light on how parents and clinicians can identify these conditions, reduce client shame, and implement effective, compassionate treatment strategies.Key Takeaways from this Episode:✨What are BFRBs?: Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors include hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), and other behaviors like cheek or nail biting.✨The Hidden Struggle: Teens often experience intense shame and go to great lengths to hide their BFRBs using clothing, makeup, or fake eyelashes.✨BFRBs vs. Self-Harm: While self-harm generally involves an intent to cause pain to regulate emotions, BFRBs are typically self-soothing or stimulating behaviors where the harm caused is unintentional.✨What Not to Say: Telling a teen to simply "stop" their behavior is entirely ineffective and will likely only increase defensiveness or secrecy.✨Approaching Treatment: Effective therapy starts with mindfulness and self-compassion to manage the shame before trying to change the behavior itself.✨Redefining Recovery: The goal of BFRB treatment is not necessarily complete cessation of the behavior, but rather managing it so it no longer disrupts the teen's life.Connect with Laura Chackes:https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/laura-chackes-saint-louis-mo/66259https://www.instagram.com/laurachackes/Facebook Support Group: Search for "Overcoming Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Help for BFRBs".Join the Teens Uncharted Community:Clinicians: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BHi1bkcXZ/Parents: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CLjk1359K/Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575657270757Join us in Skool: https://www.skool.com/teens-uncharted/aboutFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teens.uncharted/#TeensNoCap #LauraChackes #BFRB #SkinPicking #HairPulling #Trichotillomania #Dermatillomania #TeenMentalHealth #TherapistResources #ParentingTeens #SelfCompassion