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Digital Seminar

Disruptive Behavior Disorders

$249.99 Standard

“Problem children.”
 
Sadly, that’s how kids with Disruptive Behavior Disorders—like ODD, Conduct Disorder, and PDA—are often labeled. 
 
And instead of focusing on how to connect with these kids, most treatment models focus on controlling, suppressing, or eliminating the behavior. 
 
But behavior is communication. And when children feel powerless, misunderstood, or unsafe, their “defiance” is really a call for relationship, regulation, and repair. 
 
This training flips that script. 
 
Led by Dr. Michael Whitehead—author of Treating Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorders—you’ll learn a play-therapy-centered,  relationship-based model that empowers children and re-engages the systems around them. 
 
Through child-centered, filial, and directive play therapy interventions, you’ll discover how play therapy unlocks safety, trust, and self-expression—while also helping caregivers and teachers shift from authority to attunement. 
 
You’ll leave with a toolbox of experiential, neurobiologically informed play therapy strategies—from LEGO®, SORRY!®, origami, and juggling games to HeartMath® and somatic play therapy activities—that strengthen co-regulation, foster resilience, and transform family and classroom dynamics. 
 
This isn’t about “fixing” children. It’s about reshaping the relational environment through play as the language of healing—so kids, families, and schools can grow together. 
 
Whether you work in private practice, schools, or community mental health, you’ll walk away with a flexible, compassionate roadmap for creating real, lasting change. 
 
Register now. 

Here's What You'll Learn


Why Behavior Plans Fail Children 

  • Compliance-based systems that silence play and expression  
  • Reward/consequence systems that backfire with neurodivergent kids   
  • How adult reactions can escalate aggression and shutdowns 

Foundations for Healing Through Play Therapy

  • Top strategies based in Coercion Theory to shift power struggles into connection   
  • Family Systems approaches to reduce triangulation and chaos   
  • Temperament Theory insights to personalize intervention   

The BISON Model: A Framework for Intervention   

  • Bio-Emotion Regulation   
    • Tools for heart rate variability tracking (HeartMath®, Mightier)   
    • Interoceptive and somatic play activities for nervous system awareness  
  • Individual Play Therapy  
    • Child-centered play therapy activities to build safety and agency  
    • Play therapy based engagement  for nonverbal, shutdown, or explosive kids   
  • Successful Communication   
    • Filial play therapy coaching to strengthen parent-child dialogue 
    • Effective command techniques that reduce defiance   
    • Family meeting templates that create consistency without chaos   
    • In-session parent coaching framework   
  • Organized Play Therapy  
    • 10+ classroom-ready tools using games like SORRY!®, LEGO®, and origami   
    • Directive play therapy plans to target frustration, rigidity, and problem-solving   
    • Juggling and movement-based regulation activities   
  • Nurturing Play Therapy  
    • Filial play therapy structures to empower caregivers   
    • Attachment-building routines for home carryover   
    • Sensory-rich fine-motor play therapy to soothe and regulate 

Clinic-to-Classroom Carryover   

  • School scripting examples for classroom communication   
  • Regulation visuals and shared behavior tools   
  • Reframing “defiance” as distress through play therapy informed strategies 

Real Families, Real Change   

  • Case study: “Adam” from intake to transformation   
  • Integration of systems therapy, play therapy, and school collaboration   
  • Ready-to-use handouts, scripts, and session templates   

Research, Risks, and Rethinking Behaviorism   

  • Key limitations of behavior-first approaches   
  • Evidence-informed vs. evidence-based debate—what matters most   
  • Risk assessment checklists for providers, schools, and families  

Everything You're Getting


  • More than 6 hours of video content
  • Up to 6.25 CE credits
  • Certificate of completion
  • Handouts and resources

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Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Digital Seminar
$249.99

Meet Your Experts


Michael Whitehead, PhD

Toggle speaker biography

Michael Whitehead, PhD, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and developer of Integrative Systemic Play Therapy (ISPT). He earned his PhD in human development and family studies from Michigan State University and MS/BS degrees from Brigham Young University. In full-time practice at Aspen Grove Family Therapy in Twin Falls, Idaho, he special high-conflict families, childhood behavioral challenges, and family reunification therapy. A part-time professor and published author, Dr. Whitehead is also the author of Treating Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorders and a frequent speaker and professional leader in play and family therapy.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Michael Whitehead has employment relationships with Aspen Grove Family Therapy and National University. He receives a speaking honorarium and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Michael Whitehead is a member of the Association for Play Therapy, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Coalition of Associations for Systemic Therapy.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Register for this intensive training course without risk. If you're not completely satisfied, give us a call at 800-844-8260.

We’re that confident you'll find this learning experience to be all that's promised and more than you expected.

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Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepepesi.com

 

Questions?

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Media Type:
Digital Seminar
Product Code:
POS150489
Duration:
6 hours, 27 minutes
Copyright:
Dec 12, 2025
Closed Captions:
Available
Format:
Audio and Video

ADA Needs


We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 1-800-844-8260.

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