What types of OCD do you treat?

We treat all subtypes of OCD including contamination, harm, relationship, sexual orientation, religious/scrupulosity, perfectionism, and more using ERP therapy.

What if I have tried therapy before and it did not work?

Many clients come to us after unsuccessful therapy. General talk therapy is not effective for OCD. ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) is the gold standard treatment specifically designed for OCD.

How long does OCD treatment take?

Most clients begin to see improvement within 12-20 sessions of ERP therapy. Treatment length varies based on severity and individual needs.

Is telehealth therapy as effective as in-person for OCD?

Yes. Research shows that telehealth ERP therapy is equally effective as in-person treatment for OCD. Telehealth also allows you to practice exposures in your own environment.

Do you accept insurance?

We are an out-of-network private pay practice. Sessions are $175. We use Mentaya to automatically submit out-of-network claims, and many clients receive 50-80% reimbursement.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes, we offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions and see if we are a good fit before committing to treatment.

Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) include hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (excoriation disorder), nail biting, and cheek chewing. They are not habits you can simply stop — they are complex conditions that respond to specialized treatment.

How is BFRB therapy different from regular therapy?

BFRB therapy uses Habit Reversal Training (HRT) and ERP, evidence-based approaches that help you identify triggers, build awareness, and develop competing responses. Unlike talk therapy alone, HRT targets the behavior cycle directly.

Do you treat trichotillomania and skin picking via telehealth?

Yes. All sessions are conducted via secure telehealth. I treat clients across Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Florida.

How long does BFRB treatment take?

Most clients begin seeing progress within 8-12 sessions. Treatment length depends on severity, co-occurring conditions, and individual goals.

BFRB Therapy Philadelphia

You've tried to stop. You've promised yourself it would be the last time. But the urge comes back — and before you know it, you're pulling hair, picking skin, or biting nails again. Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) aren't habits you can just break with willpower. They're complex, body-based responses — and they deserve real, evidence-based treatment.

At Onward Healing Therapy, we offer specialized telehealth therapy for BFRBs in Pennsylvania and Vermont, using approaches proven to reduce these behaviors and help you reclaim a sense of control in your body and your life.

What Are BFRBs?

Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors are repetitive, self-directed behaviors that involve touching, pulling, picking, or biting the body. Common BFRBs include:

Trichotillomania (hair pulling) — pulling hair from the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, or other areas of the body.

Excoriation disorder (skin picking) — repeatedly picking at skin, often leaving sores or scars.

Onychophagia (nail biting) — chronic nail biting that causes distress or physical harm.

Dermatillomania — a related skin-focused behavior that often overlaps with excoriation disorder.

BFRBs affect an estimated 1 in 20 people and are more common than most people realize. They're not a sign of weakness or a lack of discipline — they're driven by complex sensory, emotional, and behavioral factors that respond well to the right kind of treatment.

How We Treat BFRBs

At Onward Healing, we use evidence-based approaches tailored to your specific BFRB and what's driving it. Our primary treatment modalities include:

Habit Reversal Training (HRT) — a structured, skills-based approach that helps you become more aware of your behavior and build alternative responses to urges. HRT is one of the most well-researched treatments for BFRBs.

The Comprehensive Behavioral (ComB) Model — a personalized treatment that identifies the specific sensory, cognitive, motor, and emotional triggers behind your BFRB and designs interventions around those triggers. ComB is particularly effective when behaviors are driven by complex or varied cues.

We may also incorporate elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you change your relationship with urges and build a life less constrained by BFRB-related shame and avoidance.

What to Expect in Treatment

BFRB therapy at Onward Healing is collaborative and structured. We begin with a thorough assessment of your specific behavior, triggers, and history. Together, we build a personalized treatment plan. Sessions are typically 50 minutes via secure telehealth video and are held weekly, at least in the early phase of treatment. You'll learn concrete tools to use between sessions — awareness techniques, competing responses, and environmental strategies — and we'll track your progress over time.

Is This Right for Me?

BFRB therapy at Onward Healing may be a good fit if you:

— Struggle with hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting, or a similar body-focused behavior

— Feel like the behavior is out of control or affecting your quality of life

— Have tried to stop on your own and found it difficult or impossible

— Want a structured, evidence-based approach rather than general talk therapy

— Are located in Pennsylvania or Vermont (for telehealth licensure)

You Don't Have to Keep Fighting This Alone

Many clients have spent years feeling ashamed of their BFRB — hiding it from family, avoiding activities they love, and believing that if they just had more willpower, they could stop. That's not how BFRBs work, and it's not your fault. With the right support, real change is possible.

We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide if we're the right fit. There's no pressure and no commitment — just a conversation to get started.

BFRB Therapy Philadelphia

What Are BFRBs?

How We Treat BFRBs

What to Expect in Treatment

Is This Right for Me?

You Don't Have to Keep Fighting This Alone

You Don’t Have to Keep Living Like This

OCD can feel constant, convincing, and exhausting — but it’s also highly treatable.

With the right support, things can begin to feel quieter, more manageable, and more in your control.

Contact