Child & Teen Behavior Probelms
Behavior problems in children and teens (such as defiance, tantrums, refusal, arguing, aggression) respond well to structured behavioral treatment, and the strongest evidence supports treatments that work directly with parents rather than only with the child. At Evidence Based Psychological Care in Calabasas, we use behavioral parent training and, for younger children, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to change the patterns that keep difficult behavior in place.
Does this sound like your family?
Homework, screens, or bedtime turn into a fight nearly every day
Your child argues with every instruction, no matter how small
You've been called by the school about behavior more than once
Tantrums or meltdowns last far longer than they should for your child's age
Consequences don't seem to work, or they escalate things
You and your partner disagree about how to handle it
You find yourself avoiding requests because the pushback isn't worth it
None of this means you're doing something wrong. Difficult behavior is usually a pattern that has quietly become self-sustaining — and patterns can be changed.
What does treatment actually involve?
Treatment starts with a careful assessment of when the behavior happens, what precedes it, and what follows it. That analysis drives everything else, because the same behavior can serve very different functions in different families.
From there, most families work in one of two directions:
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for younger children, roughly ages 2 to 7. Parents are coached live, in the moment, while interacting with their child. It is one of the most rigorously studied treatments for early disruptive behavior.
Behavioral parent training for school-age children and teens. Parents learn to set clear expectations, deliver consequences consistently, and reinforce the behavior they want more of. Sessions focus on specific situations in your home, not general parenting philosophy.
Older children and teens are usually seen individually as well, working on frustration tolerance, problem-solving, and managing conflict without escalation.
What to Expect from Therapy at EBPC, Inc.
1.Diagnostic Evaluation: 90 Minute Initial Session
Our care always begins with a robust diagnostic intake. We use clinical interviews and empirical questionnaires to get a complete picture of your child's cognitive strengths and developmental background.
2.Collaborative Target Setting: Session 2.
Together with the client and family, we isolate precise, measurable treatment goals. We want everyone aligned on exactly what success looks like.
3.Active Skill Building: Ongoing Outpatient Care.
Therapy sessions are interactive and action-oriented. Clients practice tools in session and receive brief "between-session" challenges to try out in school and at home.
4.Progress Tracking & Transition: Graduation.
We actively monitor symptoms to see what is working. Once goals are consistently met and coping skills are automated, we gracefully taper sessions toward independent graduation.
A Note on Telehealth: In addition to welcoming families to our comfortable, private office in Calabasas, CA, our clinicians provide fully HIPAA-compliant teletherapy across California and multiple cross-licensed states.
FAQs
-
Most families see meaningful change within three to four months of consistent weekly work, though this varies with the severity and duration of the difficulty and with how consistently new strategies are applied at home. We review progress with you regularly and adjust course rather than continuing indefinitely.
-
-
No. Behavior problems arise from a mix of temperament, developmental stage, family patterns, and environment. Parents are the most effective point of intervention — that's a statement about leverage, not blame.
-
For younger children, yes — that's how PCIT works and why it works. For older children and teens, parents are typically involved in part of each session or in separate parent sessions.
-
Sometimes, and the two frequently co-occur. If the pattern suggests attention or impulse-control difficulties underneath the behavior, we may recommend an evaluation. See more here.
-
Yes, with your consent. Coordinating with teachers and school staff often accelerates progress.