Therapy for Behavioral Issues in Kids & Teens
When a child's behavior feels out of control — at home, at school, or with friends — it can leave the whole family exhausted and unsure where to turn. Our licensed therapists specialize in helping children and teens understand their emotions, build self-regulation skills, and replace challenging behaviors with healthier patterns.
Schedule a Free ConsultationEvery Child Deserves to Be Understood
Behavioral challenges are rarely about a child "choosing" to misbehave. Behind every outburst, refusal, or meltdown is a young person struggling to communicate unmet needs.
Behavioral issues in children and teenagers can look like persistent defiance, explosive anger, emotional dysregulation, school refusal, or significant difficulty following rules at home and in school. These challenges affect children across all ages — from young children just developing coping skills to teenagers navigating the complexity of adolescence.
Behavioral therapy provides children and teens with concrete tools for managing big emotions, communicating effectively, and building positive relationships. It also supports parents in learning strategies that reinforce growth at home. With the right therapist, behavioral challenges can become opportunities for lasting emotional development.
Common Behavioral Challenges We Treat
Our therapists are experienced in a wide range of behavioral presentations in children and teens.
Anger Outbursts & Emotional Explosions
Frequent meltdowns, tantrums beyond typical developmental stages, aggression toward family members, or destruction of property when frustrated. Therapy provides tools for emotional regulation and healthy expression.
School Refusal & Academic Avoidance
Refusal or extreme resistance to attending school, often involving somatic complaints without a medical cause. Frequently linked to social anxiety, depression, or bullying.
Attention & Impulsivity Difficulties
Children with ADHD often struggle with following multi-step instructions, staying on task, and managing impulses — producing behavioral difficulties at home and school.
Trauma-Related Behavioral Changes
Children who have experienced adverse events — abuse, neglect, parental separation, or sudden loss — often express distress through behavior rather than words. Trauma-focused therapy addresses the root cause.
Social Skills Deficits & Peer Conflict
Difficulties reading social cues, making and keeping friends, managing conflict, or fitting in with peer groups. Therapy helps children develop social confidence and emotional intelligence.
Technology & Screen Use Conflicts
Explosive reactions to screen time limits, gaming or social media overuse, and withdrawal-like behaviors when devices are restricted. Therapy helps rebuild healthy self-regulation and family boundaries.
Family Transition & Adjustment Issues
Behavioral regression or escalation following divorce, a new sibling, relocation, or other family changes. Children often act out when they lack the emotional tools to process disruption. Family therapy can support the whole system.
Signs Your Child or Teen May Benefit from Therapy
Not every difficult behavior requires professional support — but these signs often indicate a child would benefit from working with a therapist.
Outbursts or meltdowns occurring daily or multiple times per week
Receiving repeated behavioral referrals or disciplinary action at school
Physical aggression toward family members, peers, or teachers
Persistent defiance that strains the parent-child relationship
Extreme difficulty recovering from disappointment or frustration
Lying, stealing, or manipulative behavior that is increasing over time
Significant withdrawal, isolation, or loss of interest in activities
Refusal to attend school on a regular basis
Behavioral changes following a traumatic or stressful event
Expressions of hopelessness, worthlessness, or not wanting to be here
Self-harming behaviors or threats of self-harm
Family members feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or at a loss
If your family is experiencing several of these, reaching out for individual therapy or family therapy is a meaningful first step.
Our Therapeutic Approach to Behavioral Issues
We use a blend of evidence-based modalities tailored to each child's age, developmental stage, and unique needs.
Play Therapy
Young children communicate through play rather than words. Play therapy allows therapists to observe behavioral patterns, help children process difficult emotions, and build coping skills in a natural, age-appropriate environment. Particularly effective for ages 3–10.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps children and teens identify negative thought patterns that drive disruptive behavior. By reshaping thinking and practicing new responses, young clients learn to manage frustration and respond more adaptively to stress.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is especially effective for teens with emotional dysregulation or self-harm behaviors. DBT skills — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — give teens a practical daily toolkit.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
PCIT directly involves parents in the therapeutic process, teaching evidence-based strategies for responding to behavioral challenges. Rooted in strengthening the parent-child relationship, it reduces behavioral symptoms while building secure attachment.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Mindfulness techniques adapted for children and teens build body awareness and self-regulation. Learning to pause before reacting — through breathing exercises and grounding — creates space for more intentional responses.
Trauma-Focused CBT & EMDR
When behavioral issues are rooted in trauma, trauma-focused therapy and EMDR address the underlying wound rather than the surface behavior. Reprocessing memories reduces hyperarousal, reactivity, and avoidance behaviors.
What to Expect When You Start
Starting therapy for your child can feel like a big step. Here is what the process looks like at Willow Therapy Utah.
Parent Intake Meeting
Your therapist typically begins with a parent-only intake session to gather developmental history, understand the presenting concerns, and set initial treatment goals. This helps the therapist understand the full family context before meeting your child.
Your Child's First Session
Your child's first appointment focuses entirely on building rapport — not diving into difficult topics. The therapist creates a warm, low-pressure environment where your child or teen can begin to feel safe and comfortable. For younger children, this often involves play-based activities.
Individualized Treatment Plan
Following intake, your therapist develops a customized treatment plan based on your child's needs and behavioral goals. You will be included in this process so goals at home and in therapy are aligned. We also assess whether family therapy sessions would benefit your household.
Ongoing Sessions & Parent Collaboration
Therapy typically involves weekly individual sessions with your child or teen. Many treatment models include periodic parent check-ins or full parent-child sessions to practice skills together and reinforce progress at home.
Progress Review & Graduation 🎉
Your therapist regularly reviews progress and updates the plan as your child grows. When goals are met, you and your therapist will create a thoughtful transition plan — including relapse prevention strategies — so your child can maintain their gains long after therapy concludes.
Who We Work With
Our therapists provide behavioral support across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and presenting concerns.
Young Children (3–7)
Play-based therapy for tantrums, aggression & early behavioral patterns
School-Age Kids (8–12)
Building emotional vocabulary, self-regulation & social skills
Middle Schoolers (11–14)
Navigating identity, peer pressure & rising emotional intensity
High Schoolers (14–18)
Academic stress, risky behavior & mental health support
Parents & Caregivers
Parent coaching & skills to reinforce progress at home
School-Struggling Youth
Support for kids with IEPs, 504 plans & behavioral accommodations
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about behavioral therapy for your child? We have answered the most common ones below.
Why Families Choose Willow Therapy Utah
Choosing a therapist for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. Here is what sets us apart.
Child & Teen Specialists
Our therapists are trained specialists in child and adolescent therapy with direct experience in behavioral issues, developmental differences, and family systems — not generalists who occasionally see children.
Evidence-Based Treatment
Every approach we use — from play therapy to CBT — is grounded in peer-reviewed research and established best practices. We do not guess; we use what works.
Family-Centered Care
We treat the whole family — not just the child. Through parent coaching, family therapy, and collaborative goal-setting, we equip everyone in the household with skills that reinforce and sustain change.
Convenient Utah County Locations
In-person sessions in Pleasant Grove and Orem, with telehealth therapy available throughout Utah — including Provo, Lehi, and beyond.
Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance providers to reduce financial barriers to care. Visit our insurance page for details. We accept a wide range of commercial plans (not Medicaid or Medicare).
Warm, Compassionate Therapists
Every member of our team is committed to creating a safe, non-judgmental space where children, teens, and families feel genuinely seen and supported. Meet our therapists to find the right fit for your family.
Ready to get started?
Your Child's Behavior Is Trying to Tell You Something
Behind every difficult behavior is a child who needs support, understanding, and the right tools to thrive. Our experienced therapists are here to help your family move from crisis to connection.