Parenting and Child Conduct Counseling

Do you ever feel like you're walking on eggshells around your child? You're not alone. Helping your child with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and other challenging behaviors can be frustrating. This 10-part series, "Understanding and Managing ODD," is designed to equip parents and guardians with the knowledge and strategies to navigate these difficulties. We'll explore common signs of ODD, powerful treatment options, and ways to rebuild a positive parent-child relationship. Click here for Part 1: "Is It Just Stubbornness? Understanding Why Your Child Says 'No' So Often'." Click Here to Read: Part 1: Cracking the Code on ODD (understanding the why behind the behavior)

Let's talk about kids who seem to say "no" to everything! Maybe they frequently argue or throw tantrums that make you want to pull your hair out. If this sounds familiar, you might be wondering if your child has something called Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). This blog series will help you understand ODD and what you can do about it. Click Here to Review the Introduction: Stubbornness vs. ODD: What's the Difference? It's normal for kids to be stubborn sometimes. They might not want to clean their room, eat their vegetables, or go to bed when you tell them to. But this is usually just a temporary thing. They might get a little frustrated, but they eventually come around. ODD is different. It's when a child's defiance and arguments become a struggle almost every day for at least six months. ODD behaviors may disrupt one or more of these settings; your home, school, and peer relationships. Your child might argue constantly, even over small things. They

  Remember Part 1? We discussed the reasons behind your child's constant defiance, like brain chemistry, genes, and even stuff happening around them at home or school. Now, in Part 2, let's move past understanding why they act out and get to the real solutions – how to help them behave better! Click Here to review Part 1: Helping Your Child Behave Better: A Guide to ODD Treatment Does your child argue, get mad quickly, and frequently appear in a bad mood? They might have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). It's a common problem for kids, but the good news is there are ways to help them act better. Think of it like a Team Effort. In many cases, the best way to tackle ODD is to work together with multiple mental health professionals. A combination of different treatments can be beneficial and sometimes crucial when your child also suffers from depression, anxiety, ADHD, or other disorders or problems. Core Treatments Parent Boot Camp (PMT):  This unique program teaches pare

Where We've Been and Where We're Going In "Part 1: Is It Just Stubbornness? Understanding Why Your Child Says "No" So Often" and " Part 2: Powerful Treatments for Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) ," we embarked on a journey to understand Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). We explored the factors contributing to ODD and the hope offered by Parent Management Training (PMT), supplemented with other therapies. Parents of children with ODD know the frustration and strain that managing disruptive behavior can create in the parent-child relationship. But here's the good news: more than 80% of children with ODD experience significant improvement when parents consistently practice practical parenting skills, which can translate to a lasting shift in communicating and connecting with your child. The Importance of Relationship Building Part 3 takes us from understanding to action. We'll delve into practical strategies and resources to rebuild th

Every Child is Different: Let's be clear: traditional discipline methods like setting clear rules, offering positive attention, and using consistent consequences can work well for most children. These methods help kids understand expectations and learn from their mistakes. Importantly, they also allow parents to celebrate good choices with praise and rewards. This positive reinforcement strengthens desired behaviors, making them more likely to be repeated. But some children need a little extra help. If your child is particularly stubborn, has trouble focusing, or struggles with defiance, traditional methods might not be enough. This is where Parent Management Training (PMT) comes in. PMT equips parents with tools to understand and respond effectively to challenging behaviors. One essential tool is teaching positive replacement behaviors. For example, suppose your child throws a tantrum when they don't get their way. In that case, PMT can help you teach calmer ways to e