Skin picking is considered a Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorder which effects up to 5% of the population. Examples of skin picking include, but are not limited to: picking acne or scabs, scratching itchy skin until it bleeds, biting nails or cuticles, and biting cheeks and / or lips. While some degree of skin picking is normal, to be classified as having a Body-Focus Repetitive Behavior Disorder, the skin picking must result in bleeding or tissue damage AND cause significant distress or problems with work, social or daily activities. Frequently people who struggle with a body focus repetitive behavior disorder also have a Depression and / or Anxiety Disorder. Skin picking is most likely to occur during sedentary activities, but can occur during active activities. Skin picking is most frequently engaged in absentmindedly, but may be an intentional behavior. According to research, skin picking likely has a genetic component to it, as well as a cultural component. Skin picking, or at least some derivation of it, frequently runs in families.
At the Center for Growth to help clients overcome their skin picking disorder, we use a Cognitive Behavioral Treatment approach. Treatment focuses on helping clients develop:
- Awareness / Mindfulness of the behavior and the feelings surrounding the behavior.
- Social support system to help them.
- Moving from shame to acceptance.
- Letting go of guilt, decreasing depression and feelings of anxiety.
- A belief that they do not have to respond to an urge or feeling. By increasing the stress tolerance, separating thought and behavior is more achievable. The separation of these two concepts can feel freeing.
- An ability to substitute a different, healthier behavior.
- A new story / pattern.
Once the above treatment goals have been met, a client will have changed their private experience of themselves.
In addition to “talk therapy” “medical” interventions can play a critical role in a client’s experience of success. For some clients, the use of lotions, topical steroids and antihistamines can reduce the itching sensations, thus making change more easily obtainable. Additionally, physical aids such as Band-Aids, medical tape, gloves or even the use of a comb create a physical barrier, thus reducing the frequency of absent mindedly pick at skin.
You can self schedule an in-person or virtual therapy session at the Center for Growth by calling (215) 922- LOVE (5683) x 100.
Our Guarantee: If after your first session you are not sold that you are working with the right therapist, do not hesitate to call our intake line at 215 922 5683 x 100 or Alex at (267) 324-9564 and ask to be rescheduled with another therapist. The choice of how you want to proceed is yours. Our only goal is to support you in becoming the best you possible.
For your convenience, we have brick and mortar offices and work with clients virtually in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Physical Therapy Office Locations:
Ocean City Therapy Office 360 West Ave, Floor 1, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Mechanicsville Therapy Office 9044 Mann Drive, Mechanicsville Virginia, 23116
Society Hill Therapy Office 233 S. 6th Street, C-33, Philadelphia PA 19106
Art Museum / Fairmount Therapy Office 2401 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 1a2, Philadelphia PA 19130
Providence Therapy Office 173 Waterman St. Providence, RI 02906
Fayetteville Therapy Office 101 Devant Street #606, Fayetteville GA 30214
Santa Fe Therapy Office, 2204 B Brothers Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87505
Telemedicine Therapy Locations: We have therapists who are licensed to work in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Virginia and Pennsylvania
Therapy Services Offered in Fayetteville, Ocean City, Mechanicsville, Philadelphia, Providence, Santa Fe:
Individual Counseling and therapy
Couples Counseling and marriage counseling
Teen Therapy and Adolescent Therapy and tweens and child counseling
Family Therapy and multi-generational counseling
Art Therapy and Counseling no art skills needed
ADHD Therapy and ADD, Dyslexia, Autism, Tourettes counseling
Anxiety, Panic, OCD Therapy and worry and fear support
Breaking the cycle of Codependency and being your own person
Overcoming Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain .
Depression Therapy and sadness, gloom, and upset support
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Therapy is a particular style of therapy designed for people with problems affecting their nervous system, how the brain and body send and receive signals.
Grief Therapy and loss, End of A Relationship, rejections, pregnancy and loss and therapy
Mindfulness Based Therapy and spirituality based therapy
Narcissistic Abuse Recovery child of, parent of, spouse of, sibling of a narcissist.
Sex Therapy and sexual function & dysfunction, sex addiction, sexual orientation and gender identity support
Trauma Therapy both emotional and sexual abuse, complex trauma, PTSD counseling
Divorce support
Affairs, Infidelity, Unfaithful, Cheating counseling
Parenting therapy
Personality disorder treatments Narcissist, Borderline, Histrionic
Setting Boundaries and identifying ones own Core Beliefs
Just name some of the Mental Health issues that we work with. Our goal is to help you Change and Achieve Your Dreams
