Photo of Brooke Ivler, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 98104, WA
Brooke Ivler
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LSWAIC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Seattle, WA 98104  (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
I am not accepting new clients at this time. As a clinician, I believe in meeting you where you are and working with you to where you want to be. We can experience a range of emotions in our day-to-day lives. These emotions are not inherently good or bad, but the emotions and external situations can often be difficult to handle on our own. I would like to offer my services as a support to your children, your partner, or yourself as we work through situational hardships and emotional struggles.
I am not accepting new clients at this time. As a clinician, I believe in meeting you where you are and working with you to where you want to be. We can experience a range of emotions in our day-to-day lives. These emotions are not inherently good or bad, but the emotions and external situations can often be difficult to handle on our own. I would like to offer my services as a support to your children, your partner, or yourself as we work through situational hardships and emotional struggles.
(253) 215-8561 View (253) 215-8561
Behavioral Issues Therapists

What happens in therapy for behavioral issues?

No matter the type of therapy, individuals form an alliance with the therapist; that connection is often therapeutic in itself, plus it becomes an instrument of change. Individuals learn to identify situations that are especially troublesome for them and acquire new patterns of thinking and behaving. In therapy for ADHD, one of the most common behavior issues for children, individuals learn how to improve frustration tolerance, control impulsivity, manage attentional focus, and gain skills of self-organisation.

What therapy types help with behavioral issues?

Many types of therapy have been found effective, each targeting one or more areas of dysfunction. Perhaps best-known and most widely tested is cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT), in which individuals learn new behavioral strategies and curb reactivity to frustrating or distressing situations that trigger disruptive behaviour. Anger, anxiety, mood disorders, impulse control problems are commonly addressed in CBT. Family therapy or parent management training is often helpful to reduce parent-child conflict and behavioral difficulties at home.

How long does therapy last for behavioral issues?

Among popular approaches to treating behavioral concerns, CBT is considered a short-term therapy intended to be administered in 15 to 20 weekly sessions. Parent training in behavior management, often used when the underlying cause of behavior issues is ADHD in children under 12, usually occurs in weekly sessions for 8 to 16 weeks. When behavioral issues stem from persistent aggression or defiance, therapy may last for months, and usually targets both children and their parents.

How effective is therapy for behavior issues?

Studies show that therapy for behavior issues in children is highly effective and may prevent the development of antisocial behavior later in life. Family intervention—parent management training or family therapy, both of which involve parents and children together—is considered most effective, notably for children under age 12 who persistently engage in aggressive, defiant, rule-breaking or other disruptive behavior. Whether provided alone or in combination with medication, CBT is highly effective in helping people regulate their emotions, and for people with ADHD, it addresses impulsiveness, hyperactivity and attentional focus.