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Sequoia Family Therapy

Family Therapy

Behavioral Concerns

Meltdowns, defiance, withdrawal, trouble at school: a child’s behavior can take over family life. Many parents have tried every chart and consequence they can find and still feel stuck.

Behavior is usually a child’s way of communicating something they can’t yet say, like worry, sadness, feeling unheard, or reacting to changes at home. Understanding the message makes the behavior easier to respond to.

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What it can look like

  • Frequent meltdowns, defiance, or aggression
  • A child who has become withdrawn or unusually quiet
  • Trouble at school or with friends
  • Behavior changes after a move, a divorce, a loss, or a new sibling
  • Parents feel worn out and unsure what works
  • Consequences and rewards aren’t making a difference

How we work on it

In family work, parents are the most important resource in the room. Rather than trying to fix a child, we help parents become the steady caregivers their children need, especially in hard moments.

We also give children words for what’s happening inside them. Kids often show distress through behavior because they don’t yet have language for worry, sadness, or feeling left out. When they can name it, parents can respond to the need and not only the behavior.

Then we support parents in responding: staying calm, setting limits with warmth, and repairing after conflict. Sessions may include the whole family, parents on their own, or a mix, depending on what helps most.

Approaches we use

  • Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Systemic family therapy

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Wondering if this fits what you’re going through?

A free 15-minute consultation is a good place to ask. We’ll talk about what’s going on and whether we’re a good fit.

Book your free 15-min consultation