When and for Whom to Pick In-Person or Telehealth Delivery of Habit Reversal Training for Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors: An Assessment of Provider Perceptions

Background Little research has examined telehealth delivery of habit reversal training (HRT) for body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs; i.e., trichotillomania and excoriation disorder) and no known studies have directly compared these two modalities relative to one another. The present study examines providers and their perceptions of in-person and telehealth delivery of HRT for BFRBs. Methods HRT providers ( n = 172) completed an online survey assessing experiences with in-person and telehealth HRT. Feasibility ratings were recorded for telehealth relative to in-person delivery of HRT for different patient ages, and BFRB symptom severity. Additionally, perceived ability to identify and address factors that may interfere with delivery of HRT, individual differences that may interfere with HRT, and overall ability to implement different aspects of HRT over both mediums were also recorded. Results Providers reported high feasibility for both in-person and telehealth HRT. Providers also reported greater ability to identify and address factors that can adversely impact HRT, and better ability to address patient individual differences that may influence treatment in an in-person environment relative to telehealth. Greater feasibility was reported for telehealth relative to in-person for ages greater than 13 years and lower feasibility for less than 13 years relative to the mean of all other groups, and greater feasibility for telehealth HRT for less severe BFRB presentations. Conclusion Findings suggest that providers perceive delivery of the various components of HRT are feasible in-person and via telehealth; however, various factors may differentially impact these perceptions and create contexts in which one modality is perceived to be more feasible.