Gilles
Free, evidence-based behavioral treatment tools for Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders.
Built by a licensed psychologist · Lived experience · No paywall
From the founder
“As an individual who grew up with Tourette’s, I experienced a great deal of confusion as the adults around me tried to understand and support my symptoms. Now, as a clinician and researcher working with the TS/TD community, I see the same gaps reappearing: too few trained clinicians, unreliable information, and no easy way for patients to track what’s affecting them or share it with their care team. So I built Gilles to help close those gaps.”
— Charles E. Galyon, PhD, Licensed Psychologist · Tourette’s and Tic Disorders Specialist
Read the full letter
As an individual who grew up with Tourette’s and the many things that accompany it, I experienced a great deal of confusion as the adults around me (parents, teachers, professionals…) tried to find ways of understanding and navigating my symptoms and helping me succeed. Though tics may be the most obvious characteristic of Tourette’s, those of us who experience this neurodivergent development often experience other challenges (or just differences) that aren’t as obvious or well-understood.
Now, as a clinician and researcher who works with Tourette’s and other neurodivergent profiles, I have the pleasure of working with individuals who are seeking support and the devoted research community working on improving our knowledge! However, I also have the frustration of seeing:
- The number of individuals needing support greatly exceeds the number of trained clinicians who are able to provide it.
- It’s hard to come by reliable, accurate information about Tourette’s, tics, and how to manage them.
- It’s difficult for patients to record and relay information back to their clinicians to help inform treatment.
- It’s hard for individuals with Tourette’s to identify and understand the things that affect their tics and other symptoms.
- It’s hard for researchers to make contact with the TS/TD community and let them know about studies they can contribute to.
So I decided to make an app and research platform to try to help address these problems!
What is Gilles?
Gilles, the Tourette’s and Tic Disorders app, is designed to make it easier for individuals to monitor and track their symptoms, including identifying things that may be contributing to their symptoms and figuring out the pattern and changes in their symptoms. It includes several built-in practice exercises drawn from decades of published behavioral research — including frameworks studied in the academic literature on Habit Reversal Training and CBIT. These exercises are designed to complement, not replace, clinical care, and support individuals in building self-awareness skills alongside their existing treatment team. Additional exercises draw on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Cognitive Psychophysiological Model for Tics, supporting quality of life and psychological flexibility beyond symptom monitoring.
What I’m asking
I have built much of this system and app already, which has certainly consumed large amounts of time, but I think it is time well-spent! However, I am now looking for help and support from the community to whatever extent is possible to help with 1) covering the overhead expenses involved in completing the development and deploying the system and app to public use, and 2) covering some of the time remaining in building it out (in effect: buying me some coffee). I will be completing the app regardless because it is important and meaningful to me, but any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for your time and support, and above all, keep in mind that our actions for others can make the world a better place.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Galyon, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Tourette’s and Tic Disorders Specialist
Gilles is actively growing
Planned features include a widget to make it easier to track tics throughout the day, deeper tracking tools, and ways for parents, caregivers, partners, and healthcare providers to get involved.
See what’s on the roadmap →
Made for you
Free, always
No subscription, no paywall, and no institutional affiliation required to join — open to anyone in the TS/TD community.
Built with lived experience
Designed by someone who has Tourette’s and works clinically and academically in the field — not a generic wellness app adapted for tics.
Evidence-based self-guided tools
Practice tools grounded in Habit Reversal Training (HRT), CBIT, and ACT — awareness, acceptance, and competing response practice you can use between sessions.
Track what matters to you
Daily check-ins, tic tracking, treatment history, and progress trends — all in one place, all private to you.
Privacy by design
Your email is never stored in plain text and your responses are tied only to an anonymous token — no one, even with database access, can identify you.
Built to advance TS/TD science — not just track it
Every participant is a potential contributor to research. Gilles connects you directly with vetted researchers running active studies you can join — so your participation helps move science forward without ever compromising your identity.
“This isn’t a wellness app adapted for tics — it’s a purpose-built platform for this community, from someone who has walked this path.”
Help bring Gilles to the App Store
Much of Gilles is already built — with time I was glad to give. What’s left is covering the overhead to finish development and deploy it publicly. Any support helps carry it the rest of the way.