Behavioural Therapist for Conduct Disorder | Cadabam’s CDC
When defiance turns into repeated aggression, property destruction, or cruelty to others, parents often feel helpless. A Behavioural Therapist for Conduct Disorder can transform these patterns by teaching new skills and reshaping family interactions. At Cadabams CDC, our specialised programmes help children regain healthy social behaviour while guiding parents and schools to reinforce progress.
What is Conduct Disorder?
Definition and Key Characteristics
Conduct Disorder (CD) is a persistent pattern of behaviours that violate social norms or the rights of others. Core symptoms include:
- Aggression toward people or animals
- Destruction of property
- Deceitfulness or theft
- Serious violation of rules (e.g., truancy before age 13)
Difference Between Conduct Disorder and ODD
While Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) involves frequent anger and argumentativeness, Conduct Disorder escalates to more severe rule-breaking and harm. Without intervention, ODD can evolve into CD.
Who Is Affected and How Common It Is
- Prevalence: 2-10% of school-age children
- Gender: More common in boys during childhood; rates equalise by adolescence
- Age of onset: Early-onset (before 10) carries a higher risk for long-term difficulties
Recognising Symptoms and Causes
Early Signs in Children
Watch for clusters of these behaviours lasting at least 12 months:
- Frequent bullying or intimidation
- Lying with apparent indifference
- Fire-setting or deliberate damage
- Running away overnight
Root Causes and Risk Factors
Multiple influences interact:
- Neurological: Impulse-control deficits in the prefrontal cortex
- Family: Inconsistent discipline, exposure to violence
- Social: Peer rejection, neighbourhood crime
- Genetic: Family history of antisocial behaviour
When Behaviour Becomes a Concern
Red flags warranting immediate assessment:
- Behaviours occur across settings (home, school, community)
- Escalating severity or frequency
- Impact on academic performance or sibling safety
How Behavioural Therapy Helps
Evidence-Based Techniques Used
Our behavioural therapists use proven methods, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Restructures hostile thought patterns
- Parent Management Training (PMT): Teaches consistent consequences and positive reinforcement
- Problem-Solving Skills Training (PSST): Builds negotiation and anger-regulation skills
Role of the Behavioural Therapist
The therapist acts as coach, mediator, and data analyst:
- Conducts functional behaviour assessments
- Designs token economies and reward charts
- Facilitates role-plays and social-skills groups
- Monitors progress with measurable goals
Typical Therapy Timeline and Goals
While every child is unique, a common roadmap looks like:
- Weeks 1–2: Comprehensive baseline assessment
- Weeks 3–8: Weekly individual and parent sessions
- Months 3–6: Ongoing fortnightly reviews; school consultation
- Maintenance: Booster sessions every 4–6 weeks Goal examples:
- Reduce physical fights at school to zero for 4 consecutive weeks
- Increase homework compliance from 30% to 80%
- Teach and demonstrate a 5-step conflict-resolution script
Our Behavioural Therapists’ Expertise
Credentials and Specialisations
Cadabams CDC therapists are:
- Licensed clinical psychologists and MPhil-level counsellors
- Certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS)
- Trained in trauma-informed care for co-morbid PTSD
Child-Centered Approach
Sessions prioritise the child’s developmental stage:
- Games and storytelling for ages 6–9
- Goal contracts and peer video modelling for pre-teens
- Motivational interviewing for adolescents
Parent and School Collaboration
We create a unified support network:
- Parent workshops: Monthly 90-minute skills classes
- School liaison: On-site training for teachers and counsellors
- Digital logs: Real-time behaviour tracking apps shared with authorised educators
Step-by-Step Therapy Process
Initial Consultation and Assessment
- 1.5-hour clinical interview with parents and child separately
- Rating scales: Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Conduct Disorder Scale
- School observation (virtual or on-site)
Customised Behaviour Plan
Delivered within 7 days:
- SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Daily reward menu co-created with the child
- Crisis safety plan for aggressive outbursts
Ongoing Reviews and Family Support
- Progress charts reviewed every 4 sessions
- Parent coaching calls between appointments
- Quarterly multi-disciplinary team meetings (therapist, psychiatrist, special educator)