Pediatric Care

Behavioral Challenges, Emotional Regulation Support, Oppositional Defiant Disorders

Regulating our emotions is something that everyone must manage as they grow. But when challenging behaviors and strong emotional reactions become frequent or intense, they can disrupt school, friendships, and family life.

Our practice provides evidence-based psychotherapy for children and adolescents experiencing behavioral challenges to help them develop healthier ways to manage emotions, follow expectations, and engage more positively with the world around them.

Support for Children and Adolescents With Behavioral Challenges

We provide evidence-based assessment and treatment for children and adolescents ages 3 - 17 who may be struggling with ongoing behavioral difficulties, emotional dysregulation, or oppositional patterns that affect daily functioning. We work closely with and actively support families by offering guidance, education, and practical strategies to help children feel supported both in and outside of therapy.

Parents often seek care when they notice their child:

  • Has frequent outbursts, persistent anger, or difficulty calming down
  • Argues often, resists rules, or shows oppositional behavior
  • Has trouble following directions or respecting limits and boundaries
  • Experiences behavioral challenges that disrupt home life, school, or peer relationships

Support can be helpful whether behavioral concerns have been present for some time or have increased as expectations or demands change with age or environment.

Signs & Symptoms of Behavioral and Emotional Regulation Challenges

Frequent Emotional Outbursts

Intense emotional reactions that feel hard to manage.

Defiance or Opposition

Frequent arguing, rule-challenging, or refusal to follow rules.

Difficulty Accepting Limits

Strong reactions to boundaries or consequences.

Impulsivity

Reacting quickly without thinking, especially when upset.

Low Frustration Tolerance

Strong responses to small setbacks or disappointments.

Conflict With Peers or Adults

Frequent disagreements or strained relationships.

Difficulty Following Rules or Routines

Challenges with structure, transitions, or expectations.

Emotional Sensitivity

Intense emotions that are hard to express or regulate.

Expert Psychological Care Designed Around Your Child

Evidence-based psychotherapy is tailored to your child and may include:

  • Developmentally appropriate behavioral and cognitive strategies

  • Skills for emotional awareness, regulation, and impulse control

  • Parent guidance and coaching to support consistency and structure at home

  • Strategies to strengthen communication, problem-solving, and coping skills

Your child’s care includes collaboration with parents, caregivers, schools, and other professionals when appropriate. Our goal is to help your child build self-regulation skills, reduce challenging behaviors, and feel more confident navigating daily life.

Our Process & Support

Initial Consultation

A supportive conversation where parents and children share concerns and goals to establish trust and help guide treatment decisions.

Treatment Planning & Assessments

Your child’s clinician develops a collaborative, individualized treatment plan and discusses whether formal assessments may be helpful.

Treatment & Ongoing Support

Care focuses on building emotional regulation and behavioral skills over time, with regular progress reviews and collaboration with families and schools when appropriate.

Other Ways We Can Help

Mood Disorders

Learning Support

Young Adult Services