3 - (SYM 140) Mental Health Providers Knowledge of Trichotillomania and Its Treatment

Treatment availability for trichotillomania and provider knowledge of treatment and diagnosis has historically been limited. In the last decade, there has been an increase in treatment efficacy research for trichotillomania, but provider knowledge has not been assessed since a study by Marcks and colleagues in 2006. In the present study, the Marcks and colleagues study was modified and replicated. Mental health providers (e.g., social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists, N= 329) were emailed to complete an online survey assessing knowledge of trichotillomania and its treatment. Approximately 50% of participants had never provided treatment for a client with trichotillomania. Most participants had knowledge of diagnostic criteria that was incorrect (or outdated from DSM-IV). Participants incorrectly identified evidence-based treatments for trichotillomania (e.g., 30% identified psychoanalysis and 25% identified hypnosis as evidence-based treatments). Notably, most participants reported that their training did not prepare them to treat trichotillomania and they indicated an interest in receiving education and training on trichotillomania. The results indicate a need for access to increased education and training opportunities for the treatment of trichotillomania. Future directions are discussed.