Play Therapist for Conduct Disorder | Cadabam’s CDC

How Our Play Therapists Address Conduct Disorder

Understanding Conduct Disorder in Children

Conduct disorder is more than “bad behavior.” It’s a repetitive pattern of aggression, deceit, and serious rule violations that can disrupt school, home, and social life. Typical signs include:

• Frequent tantrums or physical fights
• Lying, stealing, or truancy
• Cruelty to animals or peers
• Lack of empathy or remorse Left untreated, these behaviors can escalate into legal or academic issues. Early, specialized intervention is key.

The Role of Play Therapy in Addressing Behavior Concerns

Traditional talk therapy rarely works with children who struggle to verbalize emotions. Play therapy leverages toys, games, and creative expression to:

• Reveal inner conflicts in a non-threatening way
• Build trust between therapist and child
• Teach impulse-control and problem-solving skills
• Transfer new coping strategies to real-world settings

Evidence-Based Play Therapy Methods We Use

Directive vs Non-Directive Play Therapy

• Directive: The therapist leads structured activities such as role-play scenarios to rehearse positive responses to anger triggers.
• Non-Directive: The child chooses toys and themes; the therapist observes and reflects feelings, promoting self-regulation. Many children benefit from a blend of both, adjusted weekly based on progress.

Sandtray & Expressive Arts Techniques

Miniature figures and sandtrays let children “build” their world, offering insight into hidden fears or aggression. Expressive arts—drawing, clay, or puppetry—externalize emotions that words can’t capture. These modalities:

• Reduce physiological arousal
• Encourage storytelling that reframes negative experiences
• Provide measurable baseline and outcome data via artwork analysis

Filial & Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Parents aren’t just observers; they’re co-therapists. In Filial Therapy, caregivers learn 30-minute structured play sessions at home, reinforcing limits with warmth. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) adds live coaching via earpiece, turning grocery-store meltdowns into teachable moments.

What to Expect in Your Child’s First Session

Intake & Assessment Process

Your journey begins with a 60-minute parent interview and child play observation. We use standardized tools such as the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory and free-play checklists to score severity levels and identify triggers.

Setting Goals with Parents & Child

Together, we craft 3–4 SMART goals—for example, “Reduce physical aggression at school from 5 incidents per week to 1 within 12 weeks.” Goals are written in child-friendly language and displayed on a sticker chart to boost motivation.

Duration & Frequency Guidelines

• Typical length: 12–20 weekly sessions (some children need longer)
• Session time: 45 minutes
• Parent feedback: 10 minutes at the end of each session
• Review: Goals formally reassessed every 6 sessions

Our Play Therapists’ Credentials & Experience

Registered Play Therapist (RPT) Standards

Every Cadabams CDC play therapist is:

• A licensed mental-health professional (RPT, MPhil, or equivalent)
• Certified by the Association for Play Therapy (India Chapter)
• Required to log 150+ hours of specialized play-therapy training and 50 hours of supervised practice

Specialized Training in Conduct Disorder

Our team receives ongoing workshops on trauma-informed care, aggression replacement training, and neurodevelopmental assessments. Each clinician maintains a minimum 85 % client-improvement rate tracked through pre/post behavioral checklists.

Success Stories & Improvement Metrics

Reduction in Aggressive Episodes

In our last 100 cases:

• Average decrease in physical aggression: 68 % within 16 weeks
• 82 % of parents reported “significant improvement” on standardized follow-up surveys

Improved School & Home Behavior

Teachers noted:

• Fewer disciplinary referrals (mean drop from 2.3 to 0.4 per month)
• Better peer relationships and classroom participation Parents observed smoother bedtime routines and a 50 % reduction in arguments over screen time.