Looking Beneath “Defiance” Understanding the Need Behind the Behavior

When children seem “defiant,” it can be easy to focus only on the behavior we see on the outside. Refusing, arguing, shutting down, melting down, running away, yelling, or pushing limits can leave parents feeling frustrated, confused, or unsure of what to do next.

This free workshop is designed to help parents and caregivers slow down and look beneath the behavior.

Through a Child-Centered Play Therapy-informed lens, we will explore how behavior often communicates a need, feeling, stress response, or attempt to regain control. Caregivers will learn how to better understand what may be happening underneath challenging moments and how to respond in ways that support connection, emotional regulation, and healthy boundaries.

This workshop is for parents and caregivers who want to feel more equipped, less alone, and more grounded when supporting children through big feelings and difficult behaviors.

What Parents Will Learn

In this free workshop, we will talk about:

How behavior can be a form of communication
Why “defiance” is not always what it seems
How stress, overwhelm, anxiety, transitions, and unmet needs can show up through behavior
How to respond with connection while still holding limits
Simple ways to support regulation before trying to correct behavior
How play therapy principles can support parents at home