Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

You noticed the increasing presence of heightened emotions, refusal to follow directions, constant arguing, and difficulty getting along with others. Your child is easily frustrated and becomes angry on a daily basis. I work to resolve behavioral and emotional difficulties by identifying the source and creating a plan for your child to engage in effective communication, control negative impulses, manage anger responses, and increase compliance.

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is defined as a pattern of disruptive, and noncompliant behaviors (anger, outbursts, defiance, etc ) usually directed towards an authority figure like parents and teachers. These behaviors can cause significant distress for both the parents and the child. Behavioral parent training has been shown to be effective in helping parents manage difficult behaviors and reduce family stress.

I utilize a number of different therapies including, but not limited to, behavioral therapy, family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy

ODD can be a very difficult diagnosis for any child or parent. Understanding it is important for the child or adolescent to succeed. I have experience working with children with ODD and helping them thrive at home, in the community and at school. I believe if we help the child to express their needs, appropriately and allow them to have personal power while cooperating in structured environments both the child and overall family will succeed.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is one of the best treatments for Oppositional Defiant Disorder. I coach you to use play therapy skills to strengthen your bond with their child and build your child's motivation to please you. When this strong foundation is established, I coach you in using very strict and consistent discipline skills that were developed especially for children with ODD.

You noticed the increasing presence of heightened emotions, refusal to follow directions, constant arguing, and difficulty getting along with others.

I love working with "naughty" children. Not because I enjoy seeing parents stressed out - I understand how taxing it can be to parent a strong willed child. Rather, I love working with these families because I have seen over and over again the radical shift in parents lives when they learn PCIT and how to channel their child's defiance against them into resilience and perseverance with them. "Naughtiness" is just a sign that peace and warmth can come back to the family with PCIT.