Chenelle Owen

There isn’t one reason why people pull their hair, so I don’t believe in taking a one-size-fits-all approach. For some people, pulling happens almost automatically. For others, there might be a particular urge or sensation, or pulling may have become a way of responding to stress, difficult emotions or thoughts. We’ll get curious about your individual pattern together. I use specialist behavioural approaches including Habit Reversal Training (HRT), alongside practical strategies to build awareness of pulling, understand triggers and urges, and find alternative ways of responding. I also know that the emotional impact of trichotillomania can sometimes become as difficult as the pulling itself. Shame, hiding, self-criticism or feeling that you “should just be able to stop” can all become part of the cycle. This is where I draw particularly on Compassion Focused Therapy, helping you or your child understand what is happening with kindness rather than criticism. With children and young people, I work alongside parents too, helping you understand how best to support your child without the pulling becoming a source of pressure, conflict or shame.

I’m a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with specialist training in trichotillomania and skin picking, working with children, young people and adults. If you’ve found your way here, you or your child may have already spent a lot of time trying to stop pulling. You might feel frustrated, embarrassed or confused about why it keeps happening. As a parent, you might be worried about saying the wrong thing or unsure whether drawing attention to the pulling will help or make things harder. I offer a warm, compassionate space where we can make sense of what’s happening without judgement or blame. Hair pulling isn’t simply a case of needing more willpower. Once we understand what the pulling is doing for you or your child, we can begin finding other ways forward.

• BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
• Specialist training in Effective Treatment for Trichotillomania & Skin Picking – Professor Douglas W. Woods
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) trained
• Compassion Focused Therapy Supervisor
• EMDR Therapist
• Specialist experience adapting CBT for autistic and ADHD clients
• Over 10 years’ experience working therapeutically with children, young people and adults

I offer therapy to children, young people and adults, online across the UK and face-to-face from my practice in Banstead, Surrey. You don’t need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. If you’re wondering whether what you or your child is experiencing might be trichotillomania, you’re very welcome to contact me to see whether I might be the right person to help.