Habit reversal training is a type of treatment given to patients especially with behavioral disorder. It has four major parts which includes awareness training, development of competing responses, building of motivation and generalization of skills. Each part is suited to various types of symptoms experienced by patients.

The first part which is awareness training is mainly concerned in bringing the patients to a more focused attention to tics and other behaviors and habits they experience. By this, the patient with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder will learn and develop more of his self control and discipline. With this, obsessions and compulsions may be minimized. Awareness training is composed of four steps. The first step is when the patient clearly describes and illustrates every obsessive and compulsive symptom he has and is experiencing up to the very moment. This can also be done by the patient himself while facing in front of the mirror. The second step is when the health specialist tells the patient whether what symptom he is experiencing whether it is by himself alone or because of the disorder. The third step is when the patient is able to learn the signals of the impulse or tic. They can be in the form of sensation, drive or thoughts. And lastly, the fourth step is when the patient is able to recognize whether the whole picture is a tic or an impulse.

Development of a competing response is somehow a like with the first step but it is done for a longer period of time. This is focused on the various responses that patients are able to have considering their impulse or tics. They are also thought how to respond and manage their behavior properly.

Health specialists recommend patients to have a list of their behaviors and symptoms both the usual and unusual one. By this, doctors are able to monitor the condition of the patient and if there are any improvements or problems that happen. Through building motivation, parents, friends and other individuals directly related to the patients are requested to give appreciation and appraisal on every achievement and little things that patients do. With this, they are able to boost their confidence despite their OCD symptoms.

And lastly is the generation of new skills. By this, patients are recommended to develop and explore more of their skills. Along the process, they may be able to divert attention to their new skill rather than their obsessions and compulsions alone.