Cognitive behavioural therapies, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Habit Reversal Therapy (HRT) are the recommended interventions for tic management. There has been emerging evidence and anecdotal client feedback that externalised attention approaches are also effective in the management of tics. As such, a novel, virtually delivered group incorporating ERP, HRT, externalised attention and mindfulness/relaxation approaches was developed. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of this tic tool kit group in the managing of tics in young people.

Children and young people (CYP) with tic disorders, aged 9–17, under the care of a specialist tic and movement clinic, attended a 6-session virtual tic therapy group with one of their parents, each lasting one hour. The Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) was completed for 31 patients prior to and following the group, and qualitative feedback was also gathered regarding satisfaction and acceptability of the management techniques.

Patients’ post-group YGTSS scores showed a statistically significant decrease in overall severity and impairment scores compared to pre-group scores, mostly driven by lowering in motor and phonic tic severity, rather than substantial lower functional impairment. Qualitative data illustrated that all patients reported better management of tics after having attended the virtual group. Moreover, 91.6% of attendees returned positive feedback for the virtual aspect, finding the group “more accessible” and valuing the availability of 1:1 practice with clinicians.

These findings suggest that the cost-effective virtual group may be an effective intervention for CYP with tics disorder and provides a preliminary basis for delivering combined ERP and HRT alongside externalised attention and mindfulness/relaxation strategies. Future exploration of this novel treatment, especially with a control groups and longer follow up should be conducted to establish the degree of its effectiveness for clinical populations.