Child Behavior Problems Treatment at Taproot Therapy
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Evidence-Based Treatments for Child Behavior Problems
At Taproot Therapy Collective, we understand that children's behavioral challenges often stem from deeper emotional, neurological, or developmental needs. Our approach focuses on understanding the root causes rather than simply addressing surface behaviors:
- QEEG BrainMapping: Provides objective data about your child's unique brain activity patterns, identifying neurological factors that may contribute to behavioral challenges. This helps differentiate between behaviors stemming from neurological differences versus emotional needs.
- Parts-Based Therapy: Helps children identify and understand the different "parts" of themselves that influence their behavior. This approach builds self-awareness and gives children language to express their internal experiences rather than acting them out behaviorally.
- Brainspotting: A gentle yet powerful approach for processing childhood trauma that may be manifesting as behavioral problems. This brain-based therapy can help children who can't verbalize their experiences find relief from trauma responses.
- Somatic Trauma Therapy: Helps children connect with body sensations and learn to recognize early warning signs of emotional dysregulation before behaviors escalate. This builds crucial self-regulation skills through body awareness.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Provides practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthy communication that children can use in challenging situations at home and school.
- Hardy Micronutrition: Addresses potential nutritional deficiencies that can impact mood regulation, impulse control, and overall brain function in developing children.
Understanding Behavioral Challenges and Related Conditions
Children's behavioral problems often overlap with or stem from other conditions. Understanding these connections is crucial for effective intervention:
- ADHD and ADD: Difficulties with impulse control, hyperactivity, and attention regulation often manifest as behavioral problems. Children with ADHD may appear defiant when they're actually struggling with executive function challenges.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Children with ASD may display challenging behaviors due to sensory overload, communication difficulties, or difficulties understanding social expectations. What looks like "bad behavior" is often a stress response to overwhelming environments.
- Anxiety: Anxiety in children frequently manifests as irritability, defiance, or aggression rather than obvious worry. Fight-flight-freeze responses can look like behavioral problems when they're actually anxiety reactions.
- Grief and Loss: Children often express grief through behavior changes, as they may lack the emotional vocabulary to express their feelings about loss. Acting out behaviors may be attempts to process complex emotions.
- Sensory Processing Issues: Children with sensory sensitivities may display challenging behaviors in response to environments that are overwhelming to their nervous systems. Their behaviors are often protective mechanisms against sensory discomfort.
- Attachment Challenges: Disruptions in early attachment can significantly impact behavior as children test relationships or struggle with trust and emotional regulation. Early relationship patterns strongly influence later behavioral patterns.
Our Child Behavior Specialists
Dr. Jason Mishalanie, PhD., BCN
Our Clinical Director specializes in assessing and treating children with complex behavioral challenges through an integrated neurobiological and psychological approach:
- QEEG brain mapping to identify specific neural patterns that may contribute to behavioral dysregulation
- Neurofeedback training to improve self-regulation and impulse control
- Developmentally appropriate interventions that address both the child's behavior and the family system
Becky Milstead, LPC
With over 20 years of experience helping children and families, Becky creates a safe, playful space for children to express themselves beyond their behaviors:
- Engaging therapeutic activities that help children express emotions appropriately
- Family therapy approaches that improve parent-child communication
- Practical strategies for parents to manage challenging behaviors at home and school
Marie Danner, LICSW-S MSW CCTP-II
As an experienced trauma therapist, Marie specializes in working with children whose behavioral challenges stem from traumatic experiences:
- Brainspotting to process trauma that may be expressed through challenging behaviors
- Attachment-based approaches that strengthen parent-child relationships
- DBT skills training to help children develop better emotional regulation
Kristan Baer, LMSW MSW SEP
Kristan's approach integrates somatic practice and brain-based medicine to help children whose behaviors stem from nervous system dysregulation:
- Somatic Experiencing techniques to help children recognize and regulate physiological stress responses
- Lifespan Integration to help process early experiences that may be impacting current behavior
- Body-centered approaches that help children develop self-awareness and emotional literacy
Transforming Lives: Comprehensive Therapy for Child Behavioral Issues in Birmingham
At Taproot Therapy Collective, our expert therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care to help children and families in the Birmingham area overcome behavioral challenges. We understand the complex interplay between emotional, developmental, and neurological factors that can contribute to disruptive behaviors at school and home. Our integrative treatment approach addresses the root causes of these issues, empowering children with the skills and support they need to thrive.
Understanding Child Behavioral Issues
Behavioral problems in educational settings can manifest in many ways, such as persistent disruptive behaviors, defiance of rules and authority figures, verbal or physical aggression, social withdrawal, and inattention or hyperactivity that interfere with learning. These challenging behaviors often signal that a child is struggling with underlying emotional distress, developmental delays, learning disorders, or trauma.
Without proper understanding and intervention, behavioral issues can lead to academic difficulties, social conflict, and strained family dynamics. Children may feel frustrated, misunderstood, and discouraged, while parents and teachers can become overwhelmed and unsure how to help. The good news is that with the right therapeutic approach, it is absolutely possible for children to develop the emotional regulation, communication, and coping skills needed for success at school and in life.
ADHD and ADD Therapy
The conceptualization of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) has shifted significantly over time. First described in 1902 as "an abnormal defect of moral control in children," the condition was later reframed as "hyperkinetic reaction of childhood" in the 1950s. The terms ADD and ADHD emerged in the 1980s, with ADHD becoming the standard nomenclature.
While once seen as a childhood disorder, ADHD is now understood as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. Stemming from differences in brain structure and function, ADHD/ADD impacts attention, impulse control, and executive functioning. Although stimulant medications are commonly prescribed, therapy is crucial for building coping and self-regulation skills.
Drug-Free Approaches to ADHD Management
Many families are seeking evidence-based alternatives to medication for managing ADHD symptoms. At Taproot Therapy Collective, we offer comprehensive drug-free approaches that can complement or, in some cases, replace traditional medication treatments.
One particularly promising approach is targeted micronutrient therapy through Hardy MicroNutrition. Research shows that specific combinations of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids can significantly improve attention, reduce impulsivity, and enhance emotional regulation in individuals with ADHD.
To learn more about how micronutrients can support brain function and reduce ADHD symptoms, visit our detailed guide on Micronutrition for Mental Health: Treating ASD, ADHD, AuDHD and More.
Our Holistic Micronutrition for Mental Health Issues approach addresses the biochemical imbalances that can contribute to attention deficits and hyperactivity, often resulting in significant symptom improvement within weeks.
At Taproot Therapy Collective, we offer evidence-based therapies for ADHD/ADD, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), skills training, and neurofeedback. CBT helps individuals reframe unhelpful thought patterns and develop strategies for organization, time management, and emotional regulation.
Newer approaches like neurofeedback aim to train the brain toward healthier patterns of activity, reducing impulsivity and enhancing focus. We also offer support for common co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities.
Our clinicians collaborate closely with clients to create holistic treatment plans that fit their unique needs and goals. Whether you're seeking support for yourself or your child, Taproot Therapy Collective can help you harness your strengths and thrive with ADHD/ADD.
The Neuroscience of Behavioral Challenges
Recent advances in neuroscience research have shed light on the brain mechanisms involved when children struggle with behavioral control. Studies using brain imaging techniques like qEEG (quantitative electroencephalography) and fMRI have shown differences in neural activity and connectivity in key regions that regulate emotion, impulse control, attention, and social perception.
For example, children with externalizing behaviors like aggression may have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for inhibiting inappropriate actions and considering consequences. They may also show heightened reactivity in the amygdala, a region that processes threat and fear. Conversely, children with internalizing issues like withdrawal may have over-activity in regions that filter and amplify perceived social dangers.
How Trauma and Stress Impact Brain Development
We now understand that chronic stress and adverse childhood experiences can significantly impact the developing brain, altering neural pathways in ways that make it harder for children to regulate their emotions and behaviors. Trauma exposure can lead to hypervigilance, disrupt healthy attachment, and create a sense of the world as dangerous - all of which can manifest as challenging behaviors.
Supporting Brain Health Through Nutrition
The brain requires specific nutrients to function optimally, especially during periods of development and recovery from stress or trauma. Harnessing the Power of Micronutrients for Mental Health can be a critical component of comprehensive treatment for behavioral issues.
Key nutrients that support healthy brain function include:
- Omega-3 fatty acids for neural membrane health and inflammation reduction
- B vitamins for neurotransmitter production and energy metabolism
- Magnesium for nervous system regulation and stress response
- Zinc for neurogenesis and cognitive function
Learn more about The Brain-Boosting Power of Vitamins and how Hardy Daily Essentials Nutrients supports mental wellness.
The Role of Sensory Processing and Integration
For some children, behavioral issues are related to differences in how their brain processes and integrates sensory information. They may be over- or under-sensitive to certain sensory stimuli, leading to overwhelm, withdrawal, or sensory-seeking behaviors that can be disruptive. Occupational therapy techniques that target sensory integration can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Strengthening Neural Pathways for Behavioral Control
The exciting thing about neuroplasticity is that with targeted interventions, we can actually help the brain build new neural connections and strengthen the pathways that underlie emotional regulation, impulse control, and prosocial behaviors. Our therapists are trained in cutting-edge, neuroscience-informed techniques that gently guide the brain toward healthier patterns of functioning.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Behavioral Support
At Taproot Therapy Collective, we recognize that lasting behavioral change requires a holistic, multi-modal approach that engages the brain, body, and social-emotional system. Some of our key treatment modalities include:
Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting is a powerful, brain-based therapy that helps reprocess unresolved trauma and emotional wounds that can drive behavioral issues. By guiding the child to focus on specific eye positions while thinking about a difficult experience, brainspotting seems to access deeper regions of the brain where traumatic memories are stored, allowing them to be integrated in an adaptive way. Research suggests that brainspotting can help regulate activation in the amygdala and promote better communication between emotional and cognitive control centers in the brain.
Brain Mapping and Neurofeedback
Quantitative EEG (qEEG) brain mapping allows us to create a detailed picture of a child's unique pattern of brain activity, identifying areas of over- or under-activation that may be contributing to behavioral challenges. This information is then used to guide focused neurofeedback training, where the child learns to modulate their own brain waves toward a healthier, more balanced state. Over time, neurofeedback can help strengthen neural networks for emotional regulation, attention, and impulse control.
Somatic Trauma Mapping
For children who have experienced chronic stress or trauma, somatic interventions can be a gentle, effective way to build emotional regulation skills. Somatic trauma mapping involves guiding the child to notice and articulate the physical sensations associated with different emotional states, building interoceptive awareness. This body-based approach can help release patterns of muscle tension, promote a sense of safety and control, and strengthen the neural pathways that allow the brain to process and integrate stressful experiences.
Emotional Transformation Therapy
Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) combines principles of interpersonal neurobiology and attachment research to help children reprocess emotional triggers and develop healthier relational patterns. ETT uses guided imagery and visualization techniques to essentially rewire neural networks associated with emotional reactivity. Over time, children build a more secure sense of self, greater distress tolerance, and more flexibility in interpersonal interactions.
Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP)
ISTDP offers a powerful approach for addressing the emotional underpinnings of behavioral issues. This evidence-based therapy helps children and adolescents identify and process core emotions that may be driving disruptive behaviors. By addressing these underlying emotional patterns, ISTDP can lead to rapid and lasting behavioral improvements, often in fewer sessions than traditional approaches.
Micronutrient Therapy
Hardy Daily Essentials Nutrients provides specialized micronutrient formulations that support optimal brain function and emotional regulation. These carefully calibrated combinations of vitamins, minerals and amino acids work synergistically to support neurotransmitter production, reduce oxidative stress, and promote neuroplasticity—all critical factors in addressing behavioral challenges.
Learn more about how amino acids can support mental health through Hardy's specialized formulations.
Research on Therapy for ADHD and Behavioral Issues
- A 2024 mixed-methods study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry explored adults' experiences with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for ADHD in routine clinical practice. The study found that adapted CBT was helpful in reducing ADHD symptoms and improving executive functioning.
- A 2023 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology demonstrated that CBT effectively reduced both core ADHD symptoms and emotional symptoms in adults with ADHD.
- A 2010 study by Safren et al. showed that adults receiving combined medication and CBT treatment experienced significant reductions in clinician-rated ADHD symptoms with a large effect size.
- Virta and colleagues conducted a study in Finland testing a cognitive-behaviorally oriented group rehabilitation program. 31% of participants showed at least 20% improvement on a self-report adult ADHD rating scale post-treatment.
- Zylowska et al. performed an open trial of modified mindfulness meditation training with adults and adolescents with ADHD. Treatment completers self-reported significant decreases in inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
- An Australian research group examined a therapist-delivered cognitive remediation program for adults with ADHD. Participants reported reduced ADHD symptoms, better organizational skills, and reduced anger problems compared to a control group.
- A 2024 clinical trial evaluated the digital intervention software MindPro1 for children with ADHD. After 4 weeks, participants showed significant improvements in ADHD symptoms and attention levels.
- A recent meta-analysis of 31 studies involving 2,169 participants aged 4-17 found that digital intervention therapy improved symptoms of inattention, executive functions, and working memory in children with ADHD.
- A randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled study of 348 patients showed that AKL-T01, a digital therapy software, significantly improved objective attention indicators after 4 weeks of training.
- A 2020 review of 53 studies on adults with ADHD found clear evidence that psychotherapy could reduce ADHD symptoms, with the strongest effects observed for CBT.
Recognizing the Signs: When to Seek Help
If you're noticing a recurrent pattern of behaviors that interfere with a child's social, emotional or academic functioning, it may be time to pursue outside support. Some warning signs that a child is struggling behaviorally include:
- Frequent and intense tantrums or emotional outbursts, well beyond typical age range
- Aggressive or destructive actions toward self, others, or property
- Extreme defiance or refusal to comply with adult requests or rules
- Persistent lying, stealing, or other disregard for norms
- Social isolation, withdrawal, or difficulties forming and maintaining relationships
- Excessive fear, worry, sadness, or mood swings
- Dramatic changes in school performance, attendance, or attitude toward learning
- Regressions in developmental milestones or adaptive skills
While all children will display some challenging behaviors at times, it's the persistence, intensity, and impact of these issues that indicates professional help may be recommended. If behavioral concerns come up across multiple settings (e.g. home, school, church, extracurriculars) and are not responding to typical parenting strategies, pursuing an evaluation can be an important first step.
Transform Your Child's Life with Expert Care
At Taproot Therapy Collective, we believe that with the right support, every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Our comprehensive, personalized approach addresses the root causes of behavioral challenges, not just the symptoms.
Whether your child is struggling with ADHD, anxiety, trauma, or other behavioral issues, our expert team is here to help guide their journey toward healing and success.
Schedule a Consultation Today