BFRB Conference

What is TLC Conference?

The TLC Conference has been a well-loved tradition within the BFRB community for many years, gathering people from around the globe to learn, grow, and celebrate.

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Conference Speakers Register Here

Events

Your Journey

What are BFRBs?

BFRBs are among the most poorly understood, underdiagnosed, and untreated group of mental health disorders.

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Nail Picking Skin Biting Tongue Chewing

Your Community

Learn more about how to support people experiencing body-focused repetitive behaviors.

Learn and build relationships with other community members through our upcoming events.

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FAQs

Find answers to a wide range of common questions related to BFRBs.

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Health Education Library

TLC's health education library is full of helpful information to manage your BFRBs.

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Research

TLC funds research that leads to better treatment options. Read more about current research supporting the BFRB community.

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Our Blog

Read inspiring stories of hope and healing.

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Find Support

TLC offers several online referral directories to support your BFRB journey.

Do you provide services for people with BFRBs?

Grow awareness of your services by applying to be listed.

Support Groups

Find a peer-led support group.

Medical and Therapeutic Providers

Find a medical or therapeutic provider with training in BFRBs.

Self-Care Providers

Find a salon, skin care, permanent make up, and more.

Donate

Your kindness and commitment to TLC ensures that when people reach out for help, we're there to provide support.

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Make a One-Time Gift

A single gift can transform the lives of individuals experiencing BFRBs.

Become a Sponsor

Philanthropic sponsorships support operations, programming, research, and training.

Monthly Recurring Donation

Please help TLC continue to transform lives by becoming a sustaining donor.

Legacy Gift

Include a gift to The TLC Foundation for BFRBs in your will or trust.

Shanthi Empowerment Fund

Created in honor of Shanthi Veeramachaneni, the fund supports TLC's health education and community programming.

Stock Transfer

Support TLC through transfer appreciated stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares.

Health Education and Community

Health Education and Community Programs

TLC offers a variety of health education and community programs to increase knowledge, build connections, and enhance quality of life.

Webinars

Access past TLC Talks webinars on a variety of topics of interest to the BFRB community.

BFRB Awareness Week

Every October 1-7, the BFRB community gathers from across the globe to celebrate all things BFRB!

TLC Annual Conference

The TLC Annual Conference is a transformative experience for BFRB experts and community members alike.

Clinical Training and Research

TLC offers training for medical and therapeutic providers, along with funding research that supports the BFRB community.

Professional Training Institute

Training for medical and therapeutic providers in cognitive-behavioral treatment for BFRBs.

Get VPTI Certified

Purchase VPTI by following this link.

Get Listed on TLC's Online Referral Directory

Grow awareness of your practice through an online listing.

Research and Grants

Learn more about TLC's BPM project, current research, and grant opportunities.

Volunteer for Research

Get involved in making a difference for the BFRB community.

About Us

About TLC

TLC is a heart-centered organization dedicated to supporting people experiencing BFRBs, their family members, and loved ones.

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The People of TLC

Our Team Board of Directors & Leadership Scientific Advisory Board Young Adult Advisory Council Careers

Press

Designed for members of the media to quickly find accurate information about BFRBs, including subject matter experts for interview.

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Back to FAQs

My child wants to get a haircut. Is there a salon near us familiar with hair pulling disorder?

Going to a salon can be a big emotional step for people with hair pulling. TLC offers a referral directory listing of BFRB-friendly salons. We're working every day to grow the number of salons listed with TLC, so come back regularly to check for updates near you.

Remember that it may take some time to find the right stylist for your child.

It's okay to try several before you decide on the one that works best.

Find a Salon

For Parents

How do I respond to people asking questions about my child/staring at them?

First and foremost, make sure your child feels safe. Then smile and make it a no-big-deal. Our world is filled with insensitive individuals who don't quite know how to interact when encountering a situation that makes them uncomfortable.

Remember, disclosing your child's BFRB is their decision, not yours. It's up to them if they want to tell anyone, let alone a stranger, about their BFRB.

Making sure your child's emotional and physical well-being is protected during uncomfortable encounters in public helps them know they can engage in community settings without fear, which in turn helps them participate more fully in community as their authentic selves.

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Will my child ever have a relationship, go to prom, go away to college?

A BFRB medical diagnosis is a label that provides individuals with access to medical and educational supports to reach their full potential. That medical diagnosis does not define one's life. People with BFRBs live full and productive lives. They participate in arts and sports activities, are engaged in their community, attend college, pursue meaningful employment, get married, and have children. Encouraging your child to live fully into themselves from a young age despite their medical diagnosis gives them courage to explore who they are, as a person, first.

How do I cope with this?

There is no one way to cope with your child's BFRB medical diagnosis. You have two options on this journey: let the tide pull you down, or let a friend throw you a buoy to help you, by getting connected to resources through TLC. It is also important to remember that a BFRB is a medical diagnosis. It does not define your child's ability to live a full, productive life. You are not alone. Your family is not alone. Your child is not alone. There is a community full of people who are on the same journey. Reach out, get connected. You've got this, and we've got you!

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Are there support groups or places to take my child where other people will understand us?

Yes! The TLC Foundation has compiled a list of BFRB support groups, which you can access below. In addition, TLC offers health education and community programs to connect, grow, and learn together. This is a great way for both you and your child to find support, along with attending BFRB Awareness Week, annually on October 1-7, along with TLC's Conference.

Find support groups here

What role do parents play in the treatment process?

Parents play an important role in the treatment process for BFRBs. Your most important role is to educate yourself about BFRBs in order to be your child's best advocate and find a therapeutic match.

It's also important that you listen to your child's feedback on a therapist to gauge treatment efficacy. What's working and what's not? What therapeutic intervention needs your support? Where can you be most helpful? Are there opportunities for you to meet with the therapist to gain insight on how best to support your child?

Children do best in treatment when their parents are supportive and loving, without adding pressure, judgment, or expectations. Refrain from telling your child to stop pulling, picking, biting, or scolding them when they act on their behaviors. This only leads to increased behaviors and emotional shut down.

Keeping the lines of communication open with your child is important to their overall physical health and emotional well-being.