Tanja M.
State Certified Peer Supporter · West Hollywood, CA
Are you curious about how life looks free from compulsive behaviors like skin picking, nail biting or hair pulling? Know that you are not alone. After finding freedom from these compulsive habits it has become one of my…
average from 405 reviews
group meetings hosted
one-on-one sessions
supporting peers on HeyPeers since
Support groups
Upcoming meetings with Tanja
Hormonal Changes Support Group (Virtual) | Menopause & Perimenopause Support (Mood Swings, Anxiety, Hot Flashes & Brain fog)
Too Overwhelmed to Organize Support Group
Healthy, New Habits | Accountability Support Group - set goals, check-in, and habit support
Let’s Work Together: Productivity Group (Body Doubling)
Let’s Work Together: Productivity Group (Body Doubling)
Work with Tanja
One-on-one support, at your pace
Private sessions with a peer who's been where you are.
About Tanja
I’m a certified peer support specialist and coach living in Southern California, I host support groups meetings on HeyPeers and also work one-on-one helping support peers with BFRB recovery and recovery from other compulsive behaviors, habits and unhelpful thoughts. I identify as a neurodivergent woman and mother with ADHD, PMDD, and sensory differences. Since 2020 I’ve been in recovery from skin picking disorder (also known as dermatillomania and excoriation disorder). I’ve since learned that this compulsive habit is called BFRB - Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors. I believe in the power of community and have been attending various types of support groups since 2017. In my free time I like to craft with yarn and spend time outdoors hiking while looking for pretty rocks.
My Recovery Story
I had been struggling with skin picking disorder since I was seven years old. My BFRB was mostly driven by feeling rough, dry skin where I felt it shouldn’t be. I experienced a lot of shame around my inability to stop this compulsive bad habit, despite my best efforts. I started looking for support groups for compulsive skin picking around 2015 and I found an in-person one in my city but I still wasn’t ready to be open about my struggles. I started going to other recovery support groups in 2017 and then in 2020 I started going to co-dependents anonymous regularly. After covid shut downs, many of these meetings went onto Zoom, I found that I gained enough recovery courage to join a support group for my BRFB. Deep down in my struggle I finally found the courage to start to tackle this compulsion to pick my dry skin. 5 years later, I can confidently state that I no longer compulsively pick at my skin. I committed to my decision to change and once I was able to find the right tools, strategies and support, I was able to maintain a healthy relationship with my skin and hair. I found peace, acceptance, courage, strength and serenity throughout my seven years in recovery. My life is infinitely better now and I love carrying the message forward to others.
My Motivation To Help
After 4 years of successful recovery I knew I had enough recovery experience to be a helpful support for others struggling with compulsive habits. I decided to completed the training and testing to get my peer support certification, so I can be a productive helper from a place of lived experience. I’ve embraced my sensory needs and learned tools and strategies to stay recovered, and I love holding space for others to find their own healing and recovery. I’m inspired to share my message of hope for the possibility of a better future by facilitating groups and holding space for one-on-one support, as well as offering encouragement and accountability.
My Chatrooms
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Perimenopause and Hormonal Mood Swings Support Group Chat 72 membersSign in to join
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Too Overwhelmed to Organize Support Chat 91 membersSign in to join
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Healthy New Habits - Accountability Group Chat - set goals, check-ins, and habit support 347 membersSign in to join
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Skin Picking, Hair Pulling, Nail Biting and other BFRB community support chat | Let’s chat about how dermatillomania/trichotillomania affects our lives 53 membersSign in to join
State Certification on file
Verified by HeyPeers · View
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What peers say about Tanja
based on 405 ratings
"She is absolutely amazing! She is so helpful! I love how she runs her meetings and one on ones! "
Erica U.
Let’s Work Together: Productivity Group (Body Doubling) · October 2026
"Very cathartic! Every little bit helps me when I’m overwhelmed! It’s 8:30 pm where I am and I feel energized!! Thank you, Tanja!! "
Mary Jane F.
Too Overwhelmed to Organize Support Group · October 2026
"Great listener, approach and support. "
Anil S.
Private Peer Support · October 2026
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