🧠 What is Emotional & Behavioural Therapy?
Emotional & Behavioural Therapy (EBT) is a therapeutic approach that helps children (and adults) understand, express, and manage their emotions, while learning to replace challenging behaviours with healthier, more positive ones.
It focuses on why a behavior happens, not just the behavior itself — and supports the child in learning better coping strategies, social skills, and self-control.
👧 Who Is It For?
EBT can help children or teens who:
- Have frequent anger outbursts, aggression, or defiance
- Struggle with anxiety, fear, sadness, or emotional shutdown
- Show impulsiveness or hyperactivity
- Have difficulty with social interactions
- Are coping with trauma, grief, or bullying
- Have diagnoses such as ADHD, autism, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), or mood disorders
- Exhibit withdrawn, disruptive, or unsafe behavior
🎯 Goals of Emotional & Behavioural Therapy
- Understand and express feelings in healthy ways
- Reduce aggression, meltdowns, or avoidant behavior
- Build coping tools for stress, frustration, or change
- Strengthen problem-solving and communication skills
- Improve relationships with family, peers, and teachers
- Develop positive self-image and emotional strength
🔧 What Happens in Therapy?
Sessions are age-appropriate and may include:
- Talking, storytelling, or drawing to explore emotions
- Role-playing or games to practice social responses
- Behavior charts or visual schedules
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to change unhelpful thoughts
- Anger management tools and calming strategies
- Family therapy or parent coaching to improve home dynamics
For young children, therapy often uses play-based methods to gently address emotions and behavior.
✅ Benefits of Emotional & Behavioural Therapy
- ✅ Fewer tantrums, outbursts, or aggressive actions
- ✅ Greater emotional control and communication
- ✅ Improved school and peer relationships
- ✅ Stronger self-confidence and independence
- ✅ Healthier responses to change or stress
- ✅ Support for both child and family
👨⚕️ Who Provides EBT?
- Child psychologists or counsellors
- Clinical social workers
- Psychiatrists (for medical/mental health needs)
- Sometimes supported by special educators or occupational therapists
Sessions can take place at:
- Therapy centers
- Schools (with special support staff)
- Online (teletherapy)
- Homes (with guided programs)
📌 When to Consider EBT
It may be time to explore emotional or behavioral therapy if a child:
- Shows intense or unpredictable emotions
- Has difficulty forming or maintaining friendships
- Regularly struggles with rules, routines, or authority
- Acts out at home or school despite discipline
- Is withdrawn, anxious, or low in confidence
- Has been through trauma or major changes
Early support leads to lifelong emotional tools.
🌟 Emotions Aren’t Bad — They Need Support
Children aren’t “naughty” or “difficult” — they’re often communicating through behavior what they don’t know how to say.
Emotional & Behavioural Therapy helps children:
🌱 Feel safe, understood, and equipped to handle life’s challenges with strength and support.