BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
WHEN THE BEHAVIOR IS TAKING OVER THE RELATIONSHIP.
Defiance, yelling, lying, impulsive choices, rule-breaking, school problems, or repeated consequences can leave parents feeling angry, scared, and out of ideas.
Support built for where they are right now.
RECOGNIZABLE PATTERNS
THIS MIGHT LOOK LIKE…
- •Every request becomes a negotiation, argument, or refusal.
- •Consequences keep getting bigger but the behavior keeps coming back.
- •Lying or secrecy has damaged trust and made parents feel like they have to monitor everything.
- •Anger escalates fast and everyone says things they regret.
- •School calls, missing work, risky choices, or rule-breaking are becoming a pattern.
- •You are spending more time correcting your teen than connecting with them.
HOW THERAPY CAN HELP
Therapy can look beyond the behavior alone, identify what is driving the pattern, build accountability, strengthen emotion regulation, and help the family respond more effectively.
WHAT MAY BE GOING ON
There is rarely one simple reason a teen gets stuck. Development, stress, temperament, relationships, school, sleep, attention, past experiences, family patterns, and biology can all play a role. We focus on understanding the pattern well enough to know what may actually help — not on attaching a label as quickly as possible.
HOW WE APPROACH IT
Behavior is information, but it also has consequences. We aim to understand what is underneath the pattern without excusing it. Depending on the situation, Teen Therapy, Parent Coaching, Family Therapy, or a combination may be the most useful path.
CLINICAL MATCH
THERAPISTS WHO WORK WITH THIS CONCERN
The concern matters. The relationship does too. We can help you think through which therapist may fit your teen's personality, needs, and preferences.
Chris Taylor, LMFT
Founder & CEO | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
I’ve spent more than 23 years helping teens and families move through difficult seasons. I bring deep empathy, direct conversation, and humor — while always taking your teen’s growth seriously.
Alyssa Wild, MA, AMFT
Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
I create a warm, empowering space where teens can feel seen without judgment, process difficult experiences, and build practical skills for emotions, relationships, and everyday life.
Sara McMann, MA, APCC
Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
I understand the pressure to perform while struggling underneath it. My work helps teens build resilience, emotional balance, and confidence without judgment or lectures.
FAQ
QUESTIONS PARENTS OFTEN ASK
Does therapy just validate bad behavior?
No. Understanding why a behavior is happening and holding a teen accountable are not opposites. Effective work can do both.
What if consequences are not working?
The issue may be consistency, timing, expectations, reinforcement, executive functioning, emotional regulation, or a larger concern underneath the behavior. Parent Coaching can help clarify the pattern.
What if my teen lies in therapy?
Therapists do not assume every first account is complete. Trust, observation, parent input, and the broader pattern all matter.
When should parents consider a higher level of care?
If safety, severe impairment, repeated dangerous behavior, intoxication, or other high-risk concerns exceed what outpatient therapy can safely manage, a higher level of care may be needed.
NOT SURE THIS IS THE RIGHT LABEL?
You do not need to be sure. Tell us what you are seeing and we can help you think through whether this concern, another issue, or a combination may be the better fit.
Prefer to talk? Call or text (916) 292-9000.