Client Reviews

The program was a positive experience overall, however there were times when I struggled and picked more as my awareness of picking increased. If this [happens] don't be put off, continue with the program as this increased awareness will be turned on its head for you to make more positive decisions around your picking behaviour. It can be difficult to face that inner you, but you learn a lot from this insight. As a skin picker for around 25 years this is the start of a process of me reducing this habit, but the program has definitely given me a great start and lots of tools in my belt to reduce and hopefully one day stop picking. I definitely pick less now and I am less distressed around my behaviour, leading to less reason to pick. I have tried hypnotherapy in the past and this has helped temporarily but the tools that you learn in this therapy are more portable and usable in everyday life without having to find somewhere quiet to listen to audio, the lessons have also helped me in other areas of my life too. I would highly recommend the programme for skin pickers and others with habitual negative behaviours. If you are concerned with the online element, even though I don't know what my therapist looks like or sounds like I felt supported by her, and even though I didn't use her beyond the worksheets I knew that I could run things past her if I had questions and she would respond quickly. Thanks for helping with this long-term infuriating habit, I am grateful.

1. I feel like I learned some new ideas such as stimulus control, competing response and mindfulness to help alleviate my skinpicking habit. I also have some exercises I can do instead of picking. 2. I would recommend the program to others with this problem. There really isn’t very much information on the internet about skinpicking and it was never something any doctor ever mentioned to me when I went in to have them examine my ears after picking at them. All they did was give me a prescription for a topical cream which only helped temporarily.

1. The program was very appropriate, supportive, effective, and beneficial for me to stop picking. The therapist was very qualified, especially, taking into account the nature of the behavior (e.g. unhealthy attachment, crying out for attention) and the duration (relatively short) and structure (online, in writing) of the program. 2. I would definitely recommend this program to others wanting to stop picking and to better understand their behavior, perhaps, with a few caveats to modify or hone expectations: a. it’s really what you make of it; picking is dependent on your individual experience and the effort to stop is at your own initiative (this is relevant to all forms of treatment, not only this program) b. the program is a great tool and guideline, not a silver-bullet solution; c. the program touches on other important components like life values which is good, but for various reasons I would still suggest that others completing the program try to stay focused on skin picking itself; d. lastly, the form and content of the program is not tailored to the individual; it is essentially the same for everyone regardless of who the applicant is and whether s/he has maybe just learned about skin picking and picks for hours or has read about it and is perhaps close to breaking the habit or has already stopped, etc.

1. I joined the program after several largely unsuccessful attempts to stop using other methods. My experience of this program was positive. I found some of it quite challenging (but appropriately so, because to change does require challenging your previous thoughts/behaviors). I was impressed that the program was so multifaceted and comprehensive. It was really invaluable process and really helped me to turn things around. 2. Yes, I would wholeheartedly recommend this program - because it worked for me...despite the fact that I'd already tried many other ways with no success, so had been doubting whether anything would really work.

1. I would love to provide feedback for you to use on the website. This program was an incredibly helpful tool and I definitely know that more people in my situation could benefit from it. To sum up my experience, I would say that I went into the program thinking that I would focus only on my dermatillomania, but in reality, it was much deeper than that. Through the different sessions, which I completed weekly, I was able to learn just how harmful my thought processes were. My biggest breakthrough was that no matter what I do, I'll probably always feel the urge to release my anxiety, but I don't have to pick my skin to achieve that release I crave. There are other ways to cope with the urge to pick my skin, but it starts with understanding the behavior. I feel like I have a much better knowledge of my tendencies and as a result, I am able to not act on my urges to pick. 2. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone battling dermatillomania. Therapists who specialize in this kind of disorder can be hard to find, but the online program made it so easy to get the help I needed. I was at my wit's end and ready to do something about my skin picking, and immersed myself in the reading and worksheets. If you like self-paced work and are committed to focusing on the sessions and responding to the worksheets honestly and thoughtfully, this program is what you have been looking for. I attribute my success to my ability to do the work on a regular basis (weekly), taking what my therapist said to heart, and my husband for being by my side throughout the whole process. The program really is an investment in your happiness, which at the end of the day, is priceless.

1) I found that having a therapist to review my responses and provide additional reflection was one of the most valuable parts of the program. I think it kept me accountable and may have had a harder time finishing the program if I was working through totally independently. I also really enjoyed the way the program emphasized learning how to be aware of, and accept the feelings that lead me to pick, and reframe my thoughts/urges, rather than just try to struggle to resist the urges. 2) I would certainly recommend the program to others. My only caveat is that the program is not a magical fix/cure-all, but gives you the tools and a strong foundation to manage and reduce the behaviour, which will involve long-term effort. I found it particularly useful in combination with other activities I am using (meditation, hypnosis/relaxation).

The program has been and continues to be helpful. It gave me the means to new and deeper insight into my own life through this insidious disorder or habit or whatever one wishes to call it. I thought I knew it all and had tried everything, but I was incorrect. The program brought the shame, guilt, frustration, hopelessness from darkness into the light to be examined in the context of not being alone. I would and will recommend it to anyone struggling with this disorder. I think it needs to be an ongoing therapy program with aftercare component.

1) I would sum up my experience so far as enlightening and also filled with reassurance that I am not alone with this condition 2) I would highly recommend anyone dealing with skin picking to use your sight and purchase the book and I have already directed one of my friends to view your information on-line.

My experience with the program has been overall very good. While there are similar self-help books, it is much more effective to have feedback from a therapist along the way, and to have a clear 8-week structure that keeps you motivated to work through the various stages. For me, this was the reason to try the online course, as books did not feel 'responsive' enough (or, maybe, I wasn't responsive enough to books). I think the structure of reading sessions and reflective exercises works well, and although I was slightly skeptical at the beginning, I have noticed that I have learned quite a lot. In that sense, the program was definitely beneficial, and I feel that I have all the tools and reasons to finish the skin picking. Yes, I would recommend the program to others.

I learned a lot of new strategies from the Skin Pick program. I would learn a lot every week and plan to implement what I learned but it was hard to remember everything. I am still picking regularly so I did not get the results I wanted from the program but I do think my habits would become less ingrained if I practiced the strategies more consistently. I do think I am more aware of my picking though and notice my moods and triggers. I would definitely recommend this program to other skin-pickers because there were so many helpful strategies and practices that were taught.