As a therapist I found this a very helpful resource for working with skin-picking and hair-pulling. The book sets out a clear and structured protocol for a cognitive behavioural approach and seems straightforward to use for both clinicians and individuals using the book for self-help. This is a book I'll be coming back to and recommending.

I was drawn to this book because the habits of hair pulling and skin picking seem to run in our family. Several members have succumbed to these self-harming habits at one time or another. As stated in this book, there is no simple fix. Each person needs to analyze what triggers their own sessions of hair pulling or skin picking. The book offers a plan of action along with suggestions to use in various scenarios. There are also references for support groups and other resources. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Overcoming Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors is a handbook and guide for understanding and modifying body focused repetitive behaviors (specifically hair pulling and skin picking). Due out 2nd Jan 2020 from New Harbinger, it's 216 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats. The authors are professionals in behavior therapy and modification and this book is a science based and comprehensive guide to identifying, contextualizing, and modifying repetitive picking or other damaging behaviors.

The language used is layman accessible, supportive (non-judgemental), and the advice for behavior modification is realistic and presented positively. The book is split up into logical sections, so the information the reader needs is easy to find. The introduction covers some of the history and development of the recognition of skin picking and hair pulling as treatable behaviors as well as the development of effective treatments, specifically ComB detailed in this manual.

The following chapters contain workable solutions for getting started, charting the behaviors, making a plan and following through. Part two contains an in-depth analysis of the different parts of the behavior puzzle, SCAMP (sensory, cognitive, affective, motor, and place) (charting tools) and putting everything together to make an individual plan.

The last section contains positive coping mechanisms, and maintenance mechanisms as well as troubleshooting, and keeping a healthy lifestyle.

The book also contains a number of links for support information for charting and troubleshooting. The references and further reading links are very well annotated and are probably worth the price of the book on their own. There's a wealth of further reading to be found here. The eARC I received does not contain an index, but that may change in the release copy.

Very well written and science based information here.

Five stars.

Great explanations and easy workbook to aid client's with OCD disorders in addition to receiving therapy from a trained clinician

The two main issues this book covers is hair-pulling and skin-picking. I am cursed to have one of these afflictions. And so many of the things covered in this book spoke to me and the life I've had since I was about 8. It's been a very hard road, but the thing I loved about this book the most, is how normal it made me feel. Despite being not normal. OBFRB goes over examples of the compulsion, how to avoid it, and how to continue self-care when you feel like you're a freak.

I've been in therapy for many years and hope to eventually overcome my BFRB. There is hope out there.

Published 1.2.20 and was written by Charles S. Mansueto, PhD; Sherrie Mansfield Vavrichek, LCSW-C; Ruth Goldfinger Golomb, LCPC

5/5 Stars