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BFRBs Natalia Truszkowska BFRBs Natalia Truszkowska

What Are BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors)?

BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors) are a group of psychological disorders characterized by repetitive self-grooming behaviors that result in damage to one's physical appearance. These behaviors are often performed as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, boredom, or other emotions.

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Natalia Truszkowska Natalia Truszkowska

How does Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Treatment Work for Skin-Picking?

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy technique commonly used to treat various anxiety disorders, including skin picking disorder (also known as excoriation disorder). 

ERP for skin picking involves exposing oneself to the urge to pick the skin and preventing the subsequent picking response.

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Natalia Truszkowska Natalia Truszkowska

What is School Avoidance and how is it treated?

School refusal can manifest in various ways, including physical complaints (e.g., headaches, stomachaches), emotional distress (e.g., crying, tantrums), or behavioral resistance (e.g., refusing to get ready for school, missing the school bus). The problem can lead to significant disruptions in a child's education, social development, and family dynamics.

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Natalia Truszkowska Natalia Truszkowska

Top 6 Ways that Parents Exacerbate OCD

Parents can play a vital role in helping their child manage OCD by striking a balance between providing support and encouragement while not reinforcing the disorder's symptoms through excessive accommodation. Professional guidance and support are essential in helping the child and the family navigate through this challenging condition. 

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Natalia Truszkowska Natalia Truszkowska

When to Choose Wilderness Therapy as a Modality for your Child's Anxiety Treatment

On the Kairos Wellness Collective team, two clinicians are trained in Wilderness Therapy: Marley Hill-Filben, a former park ranger turned therapist, and Elena Woughter, a seasoned camp counselor, both recent graduates of Naropa’s Wilderness Program. Both approach wilderness interventions with incredible passion, insight, zeal, and compassion.

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EMDR Natalia Truszkowska EMDR Natalia Truszkowska

How do Brainspotting and EMDR Compare for Trauma Treatment?

Brainspotting and EMDR have shown promising results in trauma treatment, and their effectiveness may vary depending on the individual and their specific needs. Some therapists may even integrate elements of both approaches into their trauma treatment practices.

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Parenting Natalia Truszkowska Parenting Natalia Truszkowska

Parenting Therapy: Limiting Teen Tech Time with Compassion

At Kairos Wellness Collective, we also coach parents in compassionate boundaries with their teens.  One question that comes up commonly is how and if to limit teen tech time with compassion requires understanding and empathy towards the challenges they may face in this digital age. Here are some steps you can take to achieve this.

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DBT Natalia Truszkowska DBT Natalia Truszkowska

Top 10 Most Valuable DBT Skills

DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy, is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, it has since been used to help individuals with various mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behaviors. Therapists who use DBT often incorporate a range of skills to assist their clients in developing healthier coping mechanisms and emotional regulation.

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OCD, ADHD Natalia Truszkowska OCD, ADHD Natalia Truszkowska

Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS)

The Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS). Instructions: The following questions should be answered about your use of the internet for private purposes. This assessment can help you determine your level Compulsive Internet Use.

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OCD Natalia Truszkowska OCD Natalia Truszkowska

What exactly is Perfectionism and is it always harmful?

Perfectionism is a personality trait or mindset characterized by striving for flawlessness, setting excessively high standards, and demanding perfection in one's own performance, achievements, or outcomes. Individuals with perfectionistic tendencies tend to be highly critical of their own work and have an intense fear of making mistakes or falling short of their own or others' expectations.

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ADHD Natalia Truszkowska ADHD Natalia Truszkowska

What is the link between Skin Picking Disorder and ADHD?

There is a known association between skin picking disorder (also known as excoriation disorder or dermatillomania) and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). While they are separate conditions, some individuals with ADHD may be more prone to developing skin picking habits or engaging in repetitive behaviors.

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DBT Natalia Truszkowska DBT Natalia Truszkowska

DBT Prolonged Exposure Therapy: How does it work?

DBT Prolonged Exposure therapy is an integration of two evidence-based treatments: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy. It is primarily used in the treatment of individuals who experience both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and emotion dysregulation, which may be present in conditions such as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

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OCD Natalia Truszkowska OCD Natalia Truszkowska

Chronic People-Pleasing and OCD Treatment

Chronic people pleasing, a term that has entered into popular jargon (and thus been diluted), refers to a persistent pattern of behavior where an individual consistently prioritizes the needs and desires of others over their own, often at the expense of their own well-being and personal boundaries.

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OCD Natalia Truszkowska OCD Natalia Truszkowska

Is Perfectionism OCD or Anxiety?

Perfectionism can be associated with both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, but it is not synonymous with either condition. Unfortunately, perfectionism can be truly difficult to treat, especially because it has a tendency to be ego-syntonic (ie. the person and their perfectionism are fundamentally in congruence).

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EMDR Natalia Truszkowska EMDR Natalia Truszkowska

Integrating EMDR in your anxiety disorder treatment

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can be an effective treatment option for various anxiety disorders. While EMDR was initially developed for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it has been adapted and used successfully for other anxiety-related conditions as well.

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