Present at the TLC annual conference - only a few days left to apply!

For those of you who are new to the BFRB (body-focused repetitive behaviors) community, you may not have heard about the Trichotillomania Learning Center (TLC) Annual Conference. This is the only even of its kind that unites clinicians, researchers, patients and their loved ones for an entire weekend focused on sharing knowledge, resources and information about the various BFRBs. The date for the next conference has been set for April 15-17, 2016 in Dallas Texas, with registrations already open.

Who should attend?

If you have any interest in any of the BFRBs, be it compulsive skin picking, hair pulling, or any of the other BFRBs then this conference is for you. It doesn’t matter if you are a clinician with years of experience, a parent concerned for your child, a friend of someone who picks, or if you are a skin picker yourself; if you have any interest in learning more about this debilitating condition then this conference is for you.

For the skin picker

As a skin picker, you will meet others who also have dermatillomania, share experiences, receive and provide support to each other and learn valuable tips and advice for ways that others have overcome or are trying to overcome the compulsion to pick. You will learn about the latest research around the disorder, and advances in treatment. Teenagers and children are all welcome to attend the conference as there will be special interactive sessions for the various age groups.

For the parents

Parents can attend with their children to experience an atmosphere of shared learning and understanding. Network with other parents who can relate to the emotional journey you are on in helping your child with dermatillomania overcome skin picking disorder. You will learn about the latest behavioral strategies and have an opportunity to engage with your child in a supportive and non-judgemental environment which will only strenthen the relationship you have with your child.

For the professional

As a clinician or researcher, the TLC conference is an ideal opportunity to advance your skills and knowledge about the various BFRBs to enable you to better serve your patients who present with skin picking disorder. It is also a great platform for you to share your knowledge and experience and showcase any research you may have conducted in this field.

Become a presenter

Do you have something you feel would be valuable to share with the BFRB community? Perhaps you would like to run an interactive workshop for the participants at the conference. TLC is inviting those interested to present at the conference to submit their research, poster or workshop proposals by December 5, 2015 to be considered for the line-up at the conference.

TLC’s widest audience is between the ages 15-34. Workshops for people in these age groups are highly desired! Specifically, workshops that offer concrete behavioral management strategies, communication and social skills, managing co-morbid disorders, dealing with issues at the elementary, secondary and college educational levels, and overall health and life management skills for children, teens and college students are needed.

There are only a few days left, so do get your proposals in as soon as possible. You register for the conference and you can find the submission guidelines on the TLC website.