Current Projects

We specialize in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults.  Our research aims to improve the understanding, assessment, and treatment of young people who experience anorexia, anxiety, OCD, misophonia, trichotillomania (hair-pulling), tics and related conditions.

If you would like to help us learn more about these conditions, and how best to help patients and families overcome them, please consider participating in one of our on-going research studies.

Please email us at coach@jhmi.edu, and our research coordinator will follow-up with you.

Any information you share with us will NOT be provided to anyone (including your insurance/ health care provider) without you formally submitting a written request that we do so. We strictly follow the data collection and storage policy as outlined by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in order to protect your privacy and the confidentiality of the information you provide.

Can I still participate without these conditions?

We are currently recruiting participants who are:

• male, and between ages 8-17
• female, and between ages 8-17

Tourette’s and Tic Disorder (TD) Studies

Detecting Tics using Machine Learning

• The purpose of this study is to determine whether a program can accurately detect tics in patients with Tourette’s disorder or a persistent tic disorder. We are exploring whether machine learning can be used to enhance virtual diagnosis and treatment options.
• If eligible, participation may total 7 hours, including one video call interview, four in-person visits to our lab, mental health questionnaires, and video observations of tics.
• Participants will be compensated up to $200 dollars for their participation.

Distress Tolerance Study

• The purpose of this study is to determine whether therapeutic distress tolerance skill training is beneficial for adults with Tourette’s Syndrome. Specifically, we are examining the impact of therapeutic skill training on improving distress tolerance as well as participants’ tic-related symptoms. In addition, we will explore the relationship between distress tolerance, tics, and biomarkers of distress tolerance.
• Participants who are at least 18 years old, fluent in English, and have moderate tic severity may be eligible to participate.
• If eligible, participation may total ~15 hours, including 3 interviews over Zoom, at least 2 in-person visits to the lab, and 4 hours of distress tolerance skill training.
• Participants will be compensated up to $150 for their participation.

Misophonia Study

• The purpose of this study is to determine if youth affected by misophponia learn differently than youth unaffected by any psychiatric conditions.
• Participants age 8-17 with specific sound sensitivities that are accompanied by strong emotional and behavioral responses (i.e. distress, anxiety, disgust, anger, avoidance) may be eligible to participate.
• Participants and their parents will be compensated up to $150 collectively for their participation.

Please email us at coach@jhmi.edu, and our research coordinator will follow-up with you.

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Trichotillamania Study

• The purpose of this study is to determine whether a wrist-worn device can increase awareness of pulling behaviors. We are exploring whether this piece of technology may be used to decrease the severity of hair pulling.
• If eligible, participation may total 6 hours, including three in-person visits to our lab, mental health questionnaires, and set up of the device.
• Participants will be compensated up to $60 dollars for their participation.

Please email us at coach@jhmi.edu, and our research coordinator will follow-up with you.

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OCD Study

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)  is characterized by obsessions and compulsions.

Obsessions are persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted. Obsessions often cause individuals marked anxiety and/or distress.

Compulsions are repetitive or ritualistic behaviors (or mental acts) that are performed in response to an obsession. Compulsive behaviors are often performed to reduce and/or prevent distress triggered by an obsession. Sometimes avoidance behaviors serve the same function as a compulsive behavior.

If you would like to help us learn more about how best to help patients and families overcome OCD, please email us at coach@jhmi.edu, and our research coordinator will follow-up with you once the study is ready for recruitment. We will be recruiting participants between ages 8-17.

Please email us at coach@jhmi.edu, and our research coordinator will follow-up with you.

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Past Studies

Tourette’s Disorder in Youth Treatment Study

Tourette’s Disorder in Youth Treatment Study

• The purpose of this study is to determine whether youth with Tourette’s and tic disorders learn differently compared to individuals without any psychiatric conditions. We are also exploring whether these learning processes are related to improvement from behavior therapy.
• If eligible, participation may total 20 hours, including 3 interviews over Zoom, 3 in-person visits to our lab, and 8 hours of evidence-based behavior therapy conducted over Zoom.
• Participants will also complete a computer task using immersive virtual reality.
• Participants will be compensated up to $150 for their participation.

Anorexia Nervosa Study

• The purpose of this study is to find out whether individuals with Anorexia Nervosa learn differently compared to individuals without any psychiatric concerns.
• Females age 13-26 with or without Anorexia Nervosa may be eligible to participate.
• If eligible, participation may total 6 hours across 2 visits including completion of a computer task using immersive virtual reality.
• Participants will be compensated up to $100 for their participation.

Phobia Treatment Study

• The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of using immersive virtual reality exposures to treat children and adolescents that have specific phobias.
• Participants age 8-17 with an intense fear of specific objects or situations (e.g, spiders, heights, public speaking, etc.) may be eligible to participate.
• If eligible, study participation may last up to 8 hours over 4 visits – including a 3-hour session of evidence-based exposure therapy.
• Participants and their parents will be compensated up to $150 collectively for their participation.

Tourette’s Disorder in Adults Treatment Study

• The purpose of this study is to determine whether adults with Tourette’s and tic disorders learn differently compared to individuals without any psychiatric conditions. We are also exploring whether these learning processes are related to improvement from behavior therapy.
• If eligible, participation may total 20 hours, including 3 interviews over Zoom, 3 in-person visits to our lab, and 8 hours of evidence-based behavior therapy conducted over Zoom.
• Participants will also complete a computer task using immersive virtual reality.
• Participants will be compensated up to $150 for their participation.

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