Therapy for Behavioral Problems
Therapy for Children & Teens in California with Behavioral Problems
Understanding Behavioral Problems
Behavioral challenges in children and adolescents often arise from a range of complex factors including, including developmental stages, emotional challenges, neurological conditions, and environmental or family influences. Behaviors such as defiance, aggression, frequent tantrums, emotional dysregulation, and impulsivity are often misinterpreted as willful or intentional disobedience when, in reality, they frequently signal underlying struggles or unmet needs that the child cannot manage independently. These behaviors may arise from frustration, anxiety, or challenges with self-regulation, particularly in children with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, or Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Additionally, children who have experienced trauma or high levels of stress may exhibit similar behaviors. Understanding these challenges within a child’s unique family and cultural context is essential to providing meaningful and effective support.
With the right therapeutic approach, caregivers and children can learn to understand these behaviors not just as issues to be corrected, but as cues that can guide families toward greater empathy, stronger connections, and practical strategies for positive behavior change.
Who We Help
Our behavior therapy services support families, children and teens in California facing a variety of behavioral challenges and needs:
While the following list is not exhaustive, it offers a glimpse into the types of clients we support and the needs they bring to the Child Psychology Center:
Young Children struggling with defiance, meltdowns, or big emotions
School-aged Children experiencing issues like aggression, hyperactivity, meltdowns about homework, or sibling conflicts
Teens working through oppositional behaviors or difficulties with emotional regulation
Caregivers looking for strategies to manage challenging behaviors while honoring their own values and parenting philosophies
For children as young as two years old—whether they have a diagnosis like ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or ODD, or no diagnosis at all—our evidence-based approach equips parents and caregivers with practical tools to help create positive changes for the entire family unit. We also aim to increase parents’ confidence and foster stronger family relationships by helping them respond to their child’s behaviors in ways that feel consistent with their cultural and personal values.
Our Therapeutic Approach
Our experts incorporate interventions from Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Parent Child Care (PC-Care), and Parent Management Training (PMT). For some clients, we use live coaching aligned with these models to support parents in using effective strategies during real-life interactions with their children.
Common Goals in Therapy for Behavioral Problems
We take a client-centered approach and help make collaborative goals, based on our clients’ desired outcomes. Our clients often work toward goals like:
Common Goals in Behavioral Therapy
Reducing Defiance – Encouraging cooperation and reducing oppositional behaviors
Improving Aggression – Addressing aggressive reactions to foster calmer responses
Strengthening Family Bonds – Enhancing communication and building positive family relationships
Increasing Parental Confidence – Helping parents feel more assured in handling difficult behaviors and increase consistency between different caregivers (parents, grandparents, babysitters, etc.)
Decreasing Avoidance – Supporting children in facing challenging tasks and situations
Whether it’s making everyday improvements or reaching key developmental milestones, our therapy is centered around goals and celebrates each step forward.
What a Typical Session Looks Like
Sessions typically last 45 minutes and are available in our Carlsbad, California office or virtually throughout California. Initially, sessions are held weekly and may shift to biweekly as progress is made. Each session includes a review of recent challenges, discussion of new strategies or adjustments, live implementation of skills, and a debrief. Incorporating play and real-life practice during homework time, morning routine, turning off electronics is an important part of this type of therapy. We also work directly with children and parents in sessions focused on identifying emotions and practicing coping tools as a family to make the therapeutic process a collaborative effort.
Our Unique Approach
California’s Child Psychology Center’s therapists are committed to evidence-based, individualized care. Each client’s treatment plan is adapted to their specific needs and lifestyle, ensuring the tools they learn are practical and realistic for them and their family. Our expert child therapists focus on empowering parents through the use of multiple evidence-based therapeutic practices and by providing live coaching during sessions, allowing us to observe and provide guidance during real-time challenging interactions. This hands-on approach ensures that parents feel supported as they implement new skills in the moment, building their confidence and competence. By personalizing our interventions to fit each family’s values, cultural background, and specific needs, we create a collaborative environment where parents are the experts in their child’s life, and we are here to guide them in fostering lasting change.
Collaboration with Clients and Families
We believe that therapy is a partnership, and we work closely with families to ensure that each session is meaningful and impactful. Our collaborative process includes:
Personalized Goal Setting – Families have input in setting therapy goals, ensuring they reflect the unique needs and priorities of the child and caregivers.
Ongoing Feedback – We gather feedback at every session to assess the effectiveness of interventions and adjust strategies as needed.
Tailored Treatment Plans – Each treatment plan is highly personalized, integrating expert strategies with each family's lived experience and cultural context.
When there are differing goals between children and caregivers, we work to find a balance, so everyone finds value in the therapy process.
Challenges Addressed in Behavioral Problems Therapy
Our child behavioral problem therapy services cover a range of concerns and diagnoses, including but not limited to:
Presenting Issues:
Aggressive behavior
Defiance
Frequent meltdowns
Impulsivity
School conflicts
Homework refusal
Sibling rivalry
Screen overuse
Common Associated Diagnoses: ADHD, Autism (ASD), Anxiety, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Mood Disorders
What Clients Can Expect
Clients can expect a structured approach with specific goals for each session, coupled with practical tools for implementation at home. Our tone is supportive and collaborative, aiming to strengthen parent-child dynamics. Families often see positive shifts relatively quickly and feel empowered to address behavioral challenges as a team.
Long-Term Benefits of Therapy
Engaging in therapy for your child’s behavioral problems can lead to lasting positive changes. Families often report:
Increased Parenting Confidence – Feeling empowered with tools and strategies to manage challenging behaviors
Improved Family Dynamics – Strengthening relationships and creating more harmony within the home
Adaptable Strategies – Gaining skills that can evolve as children grow and face new challenges
Therapy provides tools that extend beyond the immediate behavioral concerns, offering families lifelong strategies for navigating parenting and fostering healthy family connections.
Adapting Therapy to Your Needs
If progress stalls, we openly discuss potential obstacles with the family. We may adjust session frequency, modify goals, or shift techniques based on the family’s needs. Each adjustment is made with the family’s background and context in mind to ensure that therapy remains effective and relevant.
Special Considerations or Exclusions:
This therapy is not suited for infants; however, California’s Child Psychology Center can provide consultation on child development or parenting strategies. In cases of severe aggression or harm within the family, we may recommend exploring more intensive, in-home support services.
Ready to start therapy?
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Ready to start therapy? 〰️
Other Services:
Child Psychology Center offers neuro-affirming, culturally competent, evidence-based therapy for children (ages 0+), teens and caregivers. We offer virtual therapy for people throughout all of California, and we offer in-person therapy in Carlsbad, CA. Our services are available in both English and Mandarin. Our licensed psychologists offer psychological assessments. While our therapists specialize in treating children, we also treat adults. We specialize in treating anxiety, child behavioral problems, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), ADHD, autism (ASD), and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We offer parent coaching and consultation. We would love to support you along your journey. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation today!