Tourette’s and Trichotillomania Service

At the Child Mind Institute, our commitment is to deliver individualized and comprehensive care to children and teenagers confronting the challenges of Tourette’s, and Tics as well as trichotillomania and other body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBS) such as skin picking and nail biting. Our treatment is based on evidence-based therapies and gold-standard approaches, empowering individuals to regain control over these conditions and enhance their overall quality of life. 

Tourette’s, Tic, Trichotillomania, and related disorders can significantly impact the lives of children and adolescents. These conditions are characterized by persistent unwanted behaviors and sensations that can lead to distress and interference in daily functioning. 

Trichotillomania involves the compulsive urge to pull out one’s hair, resulting in hair loss and associated emotional distress. Tic disorders encompass a spectrum of conditions, including Tourette’s syndrome and chronic tic disorders, marked by repetitive, involuntary movements or vocalizations. These disorders can profoundly affect a young person’s life, impacting their relationships, school performance, and overall well-being.  

Our team of skilled clinicians has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating these conditions effectively. 

Our approach is rooted in evidence-based therapies, including Habit Reversal Training (HRT), Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), and Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (ComB).  

HRT is a treatment that is used in both tic disorders and BRFBs such as trichotillomania. This therapeutic approach involves building awareness of urges in order to engage in a behavior — called a competing response— which is  physically incompatible with the tic or repetitive behavior. Over time, learning to engage in these alternative behaviors when urges arise can reduce the frequency of problem behaviors, and these distressing urges often subside as a result. 

In CBIT and ComB,  habit reversal is combined with other therapeutic tools, such as contingency management and cognitive restructuring, to create a wholistic and tailored treatment.   

We understand that family plays a crucial role in the journey to recovery. Our clinical team works closely with parents and often siblings, offering guidance and training on effective strategies to support their child and sibling’s treatment. We also provide separate parent and/or sibling sessions to ensure that caregivers and family members are actively engaged in the therapeutic process, when needed.  

The frequency and intensity of treatment are tailored to each individual’s specific needs. For those with mild to moderate symptoms, we typically recommend weekly or twice-weekly sessions. However, for individuals with severe symptoms, we offer our Intensive Tourette’s and Trichotillomania Treatment Program.

The Intensive Program can provide treatment for multiple hours per day, multiple days per week, thus creating an accelerated path to recovery. This focused approach can make a significant difference in a relatively short period.  

When medication is deemed necessary or if there are co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or learning differences, our team collaborates seamlessly with child and adolescent psychiatrists, learning specialists, and neuropsychologists at the Child Mind Institute. We can also work in partnership with a child’s current therapist or psychiatrist to ensure a holistic and effective treatment plan. 

At the Child Mind Institute, we are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals with tic disorders and body-focused repetitive behaviors. Our goal is to empower individuals and their families to take control of these conditions and improve their overall well-being. 

To make an appointment, call us at 212.308.3118 or request an appointment online.