Do you feel as if you've tried everything to stop pulling or picking, or to help your child, and nothing works?

Are you interested in emerging research on the amino acid N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and it's potential effect on BFRBs?

Would you like a better understanding of just WHAT differences exist in the neuroimaging of pullers vs. non-pullers?

Join TLC Founder, and recovered puller/picker, Christina Pearson, as she shares the tools and strategies that have kept her  skin clear and hair on her head for 17 years.  Stanford University Researchers Joseph Garner, PhD and Matthew White, MD, will also present emerging research on the potential role of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) as a treatment for BFRBs, and the fascinating results of recent neuroimaging studies of those with trichotillomania.

Adults, parents and treatment providers will develop new insight into WHY it can be so difficult to alter these behaviors, and also learn more effective ways to both live with, and heal from, these problems. 

LUNCH is on your own. Various dining options are available near the conference center. Brown bag lunches are encouraged.

"Christina is phenomenal! She has a unique gift for relating complex information in a fun, inspirational manner. I feel empowered and the burden of my shame has been vastly diminished. This experience was invaluable." -TLC Workshop Attendee

“Dr. Garner’s passion for his (trichotillomania) research is uplifting, I could listen to him all day. He does an excellent job of translating complex information into layman’s terms.” –TLC Conference Reviewer

“Dr. White’s explanation of his recent neuroimaging research is fascinating. It’s exciting to see new research for BFRBs take this direction.” 2011 TLC Conference Attendee

This event is for adults, parents who are affected by hair pulling, skin picking and related problems, as well as and treatment providers seeking information to better help their patients. Limited partial scholarships and payment plans are available. Scroll to the bottom for information.

CALL 831-457-1004 with questions or phone registration.

Public transportation and driving directions.

Limited partial scholarships and payment plans are available. Scroll down for information.

10:00am - 10:30am:
Opening welcome / introductions / orientation exercise
Christina Pearson

10:30am - 11:45am:
Overview: Emerging Knowledge on Skin Picking and Hair Pulling Disorders
Garner, Pearson, White|
Gain an up-to-date overview of the epidemiology, possible causes, functional impact, and most effective emerging treatment approaches currently available for hair pulling and skin picking. Exciting new findings in recent neuroimaging research will be briefly reviewed, along with advances in both neurochemistry and cognitive behavioral therapy. Future directions for research will be identified. 

11:45am - 1:00pm:  LUNCH ON YOUR OWN 

1:00pm -   2:15pm:   

Animal Models
Joseph Garner, PhD
This session provides an overview of current animal models, emphasizing how human and animal work is integrated and complementary. Recent findings based on research into the areas of diet, neurotransmitters, as well as other developments and progress, will also be discussed.

  OR-          

    Mindfulness Strategies for Impulse Reduction:  
Enhancing Awareness, Recovery, & Life in General
Christina Pearson
Introduction to Mindfulness: Christina, a trained Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher, will teach a simple meditative technique that can become a powerful asset in your recovery toolbox.  The utilization of Mindfulness techniques, emerging in recent years across many therapeutically accepted treatment modalities, validates the significant benefits of developing these time-honored skills. 

2:15pm – 2:45pm:   ½ hour BREAK            

2:45pm – 4:00pm:   

Reward Processing in Trichotillomania: Results of a Functional MRI Study
Matthew P. White, MD
Dr. White will present findings from a recently competed functional MRI study of Trichotillomania.  The study examined changes in brain activity in subjects with trichotillomania (TTM) in response to a reward-based task, compared with non-affected individuals.  The study also examined how different regions of the brain related to reward processing interconnect in TTM compared with healthy controls.  The talk will present evidence for altered reward processing in TTM.

-OR-

   Mindfulness Meditation:  
Enhancing Awareness, Recovery, & Life in General
Christina Pearson
Introduction to Mindfulness: Christina, a trained Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher, will teach a simple meditative technique that can become a powerful asset in your recovery toolbox.  The utilization of Mindfulness techniques, emerging in recent years across many therapeutically accepted treatment modalities, validates the significant benefits of developing these time-honored skills. 

4:00pm – 5:00pm:
Closing Q & A & Wrap-up (for everyone)
Garner, Pearson, White
End the day with a brief Q & A with today’s presenters, followed by network and support building and information on how one can get more involved with TLC.

About the Presenters

Joseph Garner, PhD, is an Associate Professor, Department of Comparative Medicine and a Courtesy Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University Veterinary Service Center. Joe studied for a BA in zoology at the University of Oxford, UK. He stayed at Oxford for his Ph.D., which examined abnormal repetitive behaviors in animals and their connections to human symptoms. His lab is currently working with hair plucking and excessive scratching behaviors in mice as models of trichotillomania and skin picking, respectively. The ultimate goal of his trichotillomania research is to understand why some at-risk individuals (for instance, the sister or daughter of a patient) do not develop trichotillomania, and to use this knowledge to design preventative interventions that might protect at-risk children.

Christina Pearson is the Founding Director of the Trichotillomania Learning Center, a national nonprofit organization she founded in 1991. Christina grew up with both trichotillomania and skin picking, and is no longer controlled by these compulsions, which she attributes to the recovery work she has done over the past 20 years. Christina is a dynamic advocate for effective treatment, and consults with practitioners nationwide. She was involved in organizing the TLC Genetics Consortium and Field Study, consulted on 5 NIMH trich-related grants, and brought together the world’s leading researchers and clinicians to develop a deeper understanding of these behaviors. In pursuit of her goal to develop resources, she has designed a series of workshops for those who seek recovery. She recently published her first book, Pearls: Meditations on Recovery from Hair Pulling and Skin Picking, and is hard at work on her next writing project. Christina presents regularly at conferences, workshops and retreats around the country, and has worked with thousands struggling with compulsive hair pulling and skin picking.

Matthew P. White, MD, is an Instructor of Psychiatry at Stanford University.  His research focuses on functional MRI (fMRI) using both resting state and task-activation fMRI to explore brain activity and connectivity in trichotillomania, depression, and hypnosis.  He previously presented at the TLC on an open label drug trial (aripiprazole) in the treatment if TTM. In addition to his research, he sees patients in his outpatient clinic at Stanford and teaches residents on the inpatient unit. Dr. White’s recent publications include  Open-label trial of aripiprazole in the treatment of trichotillomania. White MP, Koran LM. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2011; 31 (4): 503-6 , Hypnosis, Mindfulness Meditation, and Brain Imaging, Book Chapter in Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. Spiegel D, White MP. Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.. 2010 , Medication Dosing in Anxiety Disorders: What the Evidence Shows, White MP, Primary Psychiatry. 2009; 16 (10): 21-28

Limited partial scholarships and payment plans are available. To apply, email leslie@trich.org with the following information:
What do you hope to gain from attending the workshop?
Why do you request financial assistance?
Names and ages of all applying for assistance.
Location from which you are traveling (if applicable)

Applications will be accepted until  June 10. Applicants will be notified of the award amount on June 12. Due to the number of applications we receive, and the limited number of scholarships available, payment plans may be offered in lieu of, or in addition to, scholarships. Scholarships average approx. $30/person, this amount is subject to change. For more information, contact the TLC office.

Event Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations must be received in writing via email, mail or fax. Voice-mail messages are not valid or accepted. Cancellation deadline dates are as follows:

Up to 30 days prior to the event: TLC will cancel your registration and issue a refund of paid registration fees, minus a $25.00 processing fee.

29-10 days prior to the event: TLC will cancel your registration and issue a refund of paid registration fees, minus a $40.00 late cancellation-processing fee, regardless of the reason for the cancellation (including medical emergencies).

10 days prior up through event date: No refunds will be issued, regardless of the reason for the cancellation (including medical emergencies). TLC cannot make exceptions to this policy, as we must prepay most meeting expenses.