Is Your Life Being Disrupted By Involuntary Tics?

• Does your child struggle with frequent, uncontrollable movements or sounds that seem to come out of nowhere?
• Do you or your child feel anxious, embarrassed, or frustrated by physical or vocal tics-especially in social settings?
• Are you looking for a proven, non-medication approach to reducing the impact of Tics or Tourette’s?

If you or your loved one is living with a Tic Disorder-such as Tourette Syndrome-you may feel isolated, overwhelmed, and unsure how to find relief. Tics can make it difficult to fully participate in school, work, and social life, especially when others don’t understand what you’re going through. And while medications were once considered the only treatment option, today, there are highly effective behavioral therapies that don’t involve side effects or long-term prescriptions.

At CBT SoCal, we help individuals with Tic Disorders-including children, teens, and adults-regain control through targeted, research-backed therapy. One of the most effective treatments available today is Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).

Understanding Tic Disorders and Tourette Syndrome

Tics are sudden, rapid, and recurrent movements or vocalizations that occur outside of a person’s control. These symptoms often begin in childhood and may come and go over time, varying in intensity and frequency.

Common Motor Tics Include:

• Eye blinking
• Neck or shoulder jerking
• Facial grimacing
• Shrugging
• Head twitching or rapid limb movement

Common Vocal Tics Include:

• Throat clearing
• Grunting or sniffing
• Snorting
• Repeating certain words or sounds

For some, tics are mild and manageable. For others, they can be persistent and severely disruptive-leading to lowered self-esteem, bullying, academic issues, and strained family or peer relationships.

In many cases, Tic Disorders also co-occur with conditions like ADHD, OCD, Generalized Anxiety, or Depression. Without proper intervention, the emotional and social toll can increase over time.

Medication Is Not Your Only Option

Historically, the most common treatments for Tourette’s or chronic tics involved medication. While these may help some people, they often come with side effects and may not permanently address the underlying behavioral triggers or stressors.

Thankfully, research now supports a highly effective, non-drug treatment: Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT).

What Is CBIT Therapy for Tics and Tourette Syndrome?

CBIT is a structured, evidence-based form of therapy designed to help people reduce the frequency and intensity of their tics. It is effective for both children and adults and has been validated in clinical trials as a first-line treatment for Tic Disorders.

CBIT is built on three key observations:

• Tics are often preceded by an internal urge or tension.
• People can learn to suppress or redirect a tic briefly once they’re aware of the urge.
• With practice, a new behavior pattern can be used to override the tic response.

Using this foundation, CBIT combines Habit Reversal Training, stress management strategies, and awareness-building exercises. Together, these techniques allow individuals to interrupt the urge-tic cycle and regain control of their actions.

Key Components of CBIT Include:

• Awareness Training: Learning to detect early signs or urges that precede a tic.
• Trigger Management: Identifying and reducing stress or environmental factors that worsen tics.
• Competing Response Training: Practicing alternative behaviors that are physically incompatible with the tic.
• Skill-Building: Developing coping tools to handle social stress, classroom challenges, and emotional regulation.

Over time, this practice can significantly reduce both the frequency and the emotional distress caused by tics.

What To Expect In Tic Therapy Sessions

In your first few sessions, your therapist will take time to learn about your specific symptoms, tic history, and any co-occurring conditions (like anxiety, OCD, or ADHD). Together, you’ll build a personalized treatment plan centered on the tools of CBIT and other complementary strategies.

Sessions may include:

• Education about tic disorders and the brain-behavior connection
• Practice with habit reversal exercises tailored to your specific type of tic(s)
• Support for managing related challenges like school performance or social anxiety
• Collaboration with family members or teachers (if applicable)

Depending on your progress and preferences, therapy may last a few months or longer and appointments can be scheduled weeks apart -but our ultimate goal is always to help you develop independence and long-term coping strategies.

Common Concerns About Tourette’s Therapy

“Is CBIT hard to learn or follow through with?”

CBIT is designed to be practical and accessible-even for younger kids. While there may be some effort required, our therapists will guide you step-by-step according to your comfort and progress.

“Will this replace the need for medication?”

For many clients, yes. CBIT has been shown to be just as effective-if not more effective-than many medications, especially for those with mild to moderate tics. If you’re already taking medication, CBIT can also be used alongside it, sometimes even allowing for reduced dosages.

“My child is already embarrassed by their tics. Will therapy make it worse?”

Quite the opposite. We hope to be supportive and encouraging. We work to create a safe space where clients can talk about their symptoms and develop confidence, self-awareness, and new skills. Most kids and teens leave therapy feeling more empowered and less isolated.

Let Us Help You or Your Child Regain Control Over Tics

CBT SoCal uses CBIT and other evidence-based interventions to help individuals with Tourette’s and Tic Disorders find relief and freedom from their symptoms. We understand how frustrating and exhausting this experience can be-and we’re here to guide you through it.

Contact us today at (818)547-2623 to schedule a free phone consultation

We offer therapy for tics and Tourette’s in-person in Glendale and Torrance, or online throughout California.