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Counseling for Challenging Children and Teens

Disruptive, manipulative, naughty, attention-seeking, stubborn, spoiled brat, resistant, button-pusher, defiant, and bad kid are all descriptions of behaviorally challenging children. The behaviors are often complex and rooted in relationship issues. Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling provides therapy for challenging children and frustrated parents in Kalamazoo, Portage, and Southwest Michigan.

Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling provides therapy to children with behavioral disorders like Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan, and Southwest Michigan.

If you’re struggling with a challenging child, call 269-615-7637

For preschool and elementary-age children:

You’re in the middle of the supermarket. You came in just to get a couple of things you need. You told your kid you’d be in and out. Despite all of your preparation, your child begins to have tantrums. They wanted this or that, and you said “No.” They don’t seem to respond to consequences or time-outs. They’re kicking, screaming, crying, and hitting in their rage. You feel absolutely powerless and embarrassed by their behavior. You are worried about what others in the store think, or maybe you’re telling yourself you’re a failure. This was the most recent event that has your child’s behavior on your mind. They’ve been kicked out of preschool, or it seems like the school has your number on speed dial. You’ve decided to call in professional help for your child. Challenging children often are lagging social-emotional skills that their peers have mastered.

Therapy works for challenging children in preschool and elementary school. It involves helping them develop skills to be successful when they struggle most. It also means helping frustrated parents take a step back and carefully plan how best to help their child. For struggling children, parents are the biggest help. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for young children (2-7 years old) with disruptive behaviors.

For middle school and high school children:

They’re an hour late. You told them when you expected them home, and they ignored you. You’re worrying about if they’re safe or whether or not they’ve gotten in trouble again. The school has called you a couple of times about where they are. When they attend school, they do not perform to their abilities. It seems they’re not trying to do well at school or don’t care.

Your teen seems off track, and you’re worried about the road they are going down. They are angry and distant as if you can’t do anything right. The reality is that challenging teenagers put their parents through the wringer. You’ve exhausted everything you know to get them back on track. Counseling for challenging teens often involves helping everyone get on the same page.

Counseling for Challenging Children and Teens:

Challenging children may be explosive, defiant, or stubborn. Often, they are angry, frustrated, don’t follow the rules, or have other behavioral or emotional issues. Ultimately, angry children are challenging children. Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling specializes in helping children with disruptive behavior disorders like oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder. These children often need help learning anger management, problem-solving, and social skills. We proudly counsel children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and Southwest Michigan areas.

Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling

269-615-7637

Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling