ODD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder

This course includes 8 x 45-min sessions

ODD support for children who experience frequent conflict, intense emotional reactions and patterns of behaviour that feel challenging to manage at home or in school.

Headstuff ADHD Therapy - Children's ADHD Services - Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Specialist ODD support for children when behaviour feels relentless

Children described as having “oppositional” or “defiant” behaviour are often experiencing high levels of emotional dysregulation, frustration or unmet needs. If daily life with your child feels like one conflict after another, this course is designed to help. It looks beneath the behaviour to what’s really driving it, then works with both your child and you to reduce conflict and rebuild connection.

Who this package is for?

This course is for families dealing with frequent conflict, escalation and patterns of behaviour that feel hard to break. It’s often the right fit for families whose child:

   Refuses requests or struggles with everyday expectations
●   Becomes easily frustrated or escalates quickly
●   Argues, pushes back or seems unable to comply
●   Experiences frequent meltdowns or outbursts
●   Struggles with authority or perceived control

Some children meet the criteria for ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder), but a formal diagnosis isn’t required to benefit from this programme. The approach recognises that children are not choosing to be difficult — they are responding to something that feels difficult for them.

What you’ll take away

Across 8 x 45-minute sessions, the course works to reduce conflict, support your child’s emotional regulation and rebuild relationships at home:

  A clearer understanding of the underlying causes of behaviour, including emotional, sensory or neurodivergent needs
●   Reduced power struggles and conflict cycles
●   Stronger emotional regulation and flexibility for your child
●   Safer, more effective ways for your child to communicate their needs
●   Stronger relationships within the family
●   Parent support to help you respond in ways that reduce escalation, set boundaries that feel manageable and consistent, and feel more confident and less overwhelmed

Ready to book?

If ODD / High Conflict Behaviour Support feels like the right next step for your family, you can book and pay securely below. Once booked, we’ll be in touch to arrange a convenient time for the first session.

Once you have made your booking, we will be in touch within 24 working hours to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

Frequently asked questions

What happens during the session
The course runs across 8 x 45-minute sessions. We work with both your child and you as parents, because reducing conflict at home depends on changes that involve everyone, not just the child.

What we focus on with your child

  • Understanding what’s really driving the behaviour
  • Reducing power struggles and conflict cycles
  • Supporting emotional regulation and flexibility
  • Building safer, more effective ways to communicate needs

What we focus on with you as a parent

  • Responding in ways that reduce escalation rather than increase it
  • Setting boundaries that feel manageable and consistent
  • Feeling more confident and less overwhelmed

By understanding what’s underneath the behaviour, we can begin to reduce conflict and create more positive, connected relationships at home.

What is Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)?
ODD describes a pattern of frequent and persistent oppositional, defiant or argumentative behaviour that goes beyond what’s typical for a child’s age. It often shows up as refusing requests, frequent arguments, intense frustration and difficulty with authority. Many children with ODD are also experiencing unmet sensory, emotional or neurodivergent needs underneath the behaviour. ODD isn’t a child choosing to be difficult – it’s a child responding to something they’re finding difficult.
Does my child need an ODD diagnosis to access this course?

No. Many families come to us without any formal diagnosis. If you’re recognising the patterns described above and daily life feels dominated by conflict, the course is designed to help regardless of whether ODD has been formally diagnosed.

Is this the same as parenting classes?

No. Parenting classes typically teach a set of techniques to apply at home. This course is different – we work directly with your child to understand and address what’s driving the behaviour, while also supporting you as parents. The combination is what makes the difference.

How often are the sessions held?
Sessions are typically held weekly, though we can adjust the pace based on what works best for your child and family. Once booked, we’ll talk through scheduling that fits around school and other commitments.
What happens after I book the ODD Support for Childern Course?

Once your booking is confirmed, we’ll contact you within one working day to arrange the first session. We’ll also send a short pre-session form to help us understand your situation and prepare properly.

Is the session face-to-face or online?
All sessions are held online. This makes it easy to fit around family life, school runs and work, with no travel involved. We’ll send you a secure video link once your booking is confirmed.

Take the next step for your child

If daily life with your child feels dominated by conflict and you’re not sure what to do next, ODD support for children can help. If you’d like to see your other options first, you can explore all our children’s ADHD services.