Behavioral challenges and emotional dysregulation are a common part of childhood. As children grow, they are still developing the skills needed to manage frustration, tolerate disappointment, follow expectations, and regulate big emotions. For many families, however, it can be difficult to know when a child’s reactions fall within the range of typical development and when additional support may be helpful.
With the right support, families can move from managing daily struggles to building confidence, consistency, and connection.
Parents often seek guidance when emotional or behavioral responses feel frequent, intense, or difficult to manage, or when they begin to interfere with family life, school functioning, or peer relationships. These concerns may include explosive reactions, defiance, impulsivity, difficulty following directions, irritability, or challenges recovering from emotional upset.
Dr. Murray begins treatment with a careful assessment to better understand the nature, frequency, and intensity of a child’s behavioral and emotional challenges, as well as the factors contributing to them. This process helps clarify whether behaviors are developmentally expected, stress-related, or indicative of a need for targeted intervention. Together, Dr. Murray and the family develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses the specific emotional and behavioral challenges the child and caregivers are facing.
Treatment for behavioral and emotional regulation challenges is grounded in evidence-based care. Research consistently shows that the most effective interventions for these concerns involve structured, parent-focused approaches that support children’s developing regulation skills within their everyday environments. The two most common and effective approaches used in treatment include Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Parent Management Training (PMT). Both approaches are collaborative, developmentally informed, and supported by strong research evidence demonstrating improvements in child behavior, emotional regulation, and parent confidence.
