Behavioural Issues Therapists

Challenging behaviours often have underlying causes that therapy can help uncover and address. Connect with therapists who work with behavioural concerns on First Session.

Behavioural issues—whether in children, adolescents, or adults—often signal that something deeper is going on. Behaviours like defiance, aggression, withdrawal, or impulsivity can be expressions of unmet needs, difficulty with emotions, underlying anxiety, or responses to challenging circumstances. Understanding what's driving the behaviour is key to making meaningful change.

Working with a therapist can help identify what's beneath the surface and develop more effective ways of responding. For children and adolescents, this often involves working with parents or caregivers as well. On First Session, you can browse therapist profiles and watch intro videos to find someone with experience in behavioural concerns who feels like the right fit for your family or situation.

Corey Lesperance

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Windsor, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Corey Lesperance

Corey Lesperance

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
$150/session
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Christian counselling, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Depression, Dissociation, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Trauma, Suicidal ideation, Substance Use, Shadow Work, PTSD
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Attachment, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Childhood trauma, Christian counselling, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Depression, Dissociation, Dreams, Emotional regulation, Familial and social relationships, Grief and Loss, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Trauma, Suicidal ideation, Substance Use, Shadow Work, PTSD

Shannon Gagnon

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
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Shannon Gagnon

Shannon Gagnon

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$130/session
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Break-up recovery, Bullying, Caregivers, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Depression coping skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Workplace stress, Trauma processing
Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Addiction, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Break-up recovery, Bullying, Caregivers, Childhood trauma, Emotional regulation, Family Conflict, Depression coping skills, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Self-Care Routines, Grief and Loss, Workplace stress, Trauma processing

Lotus Huyen Vu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Regina, SK)
Virtual Sessions in SK, ON, AB, BC, and MB.
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Lotus Huyen Vu

Lotus Huyen Vu

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
$160/session
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Behavioural Issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Aging, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Negative thinking and ruminating, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mindfulness Practices, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Addiction, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Attachment trauma, Behavioural Issues, Borderline Personality Disorder, Caregiver burnout, Aging, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Childhood trauma, Life transitions, Trauma processing, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Negative thinking and ruminating, Complex Trauma (CPTSD), Mindfulness Practices, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration

Kelly Budenz

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Vaughan, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Kelly Budenz

Kelly Budenz

Registered Social Worker
she/her
$175/session
Anxiety, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, General Mental Health, Parenting
Anxiety, Depression, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Anger Management, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Self-Care Routines, Assertiveness, Children/Teens, Caregivers, Empowerment, Emotional regulation, Mindfulness, School challenges, Self harm, Suicidal ideation, Stress, General Mental Health, Parenting

Ghazal Ghoddousi

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Richmond Hill, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON, AB, BC, MB, and SK.
Waitlist
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Ghazal Ghoddousi

Ghazal Ghoddousi

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/Her
$150/session
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration
Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Empowerment, Life transitions, Childhood trauma, Self-Criticism, People pleasing, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Depression, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Cultural Challenges, Interpersonal dynamics, Navigating challenging relationships, Building Meaningful Connections, Identity and Self-Exploration

Maria Chaplick

Registered Psychotherapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON and BC.
Waitlist
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Maria Chaplick

Maria Chaplick

Registered Psychotherapist
she/her
$180/session
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Anger, Anxiety, Negative thinking and ruminating, Anger Management, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Assertiveness, Behavioural Issues, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Burnout, Break-up recovery, Effective communication, Emotional regulation, Empowerment, Family Conflict, Fears and phobia, Habits, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Meaning and purpose, Mindfulness, Motivation, Navigating challenging relationships, Stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss

Lydia Azaribe

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Edmonton, AB)
Virtual Sessions in MB, NT, AB, NU, YT, NL, BC, SK, and ON.
Waitlist
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Lydia Azaribe

Lydia Azaribe

Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)
She/her
$120/session
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Aging, Attachment, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Christian counselling, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, BIPOC
Anxiety, Burnout, Depression, ADHD, Attention and Impulsivity, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Adjusting to a diagnosis, Anger, Aging, Attachment, Behaviour, Behavioural Issues, Blocks in Connecting with Self and Others, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Break-up recovery, Building Self-Care Routines, Career guidance, Caregivers, Cultural Challenges, Christian counselling, Conflict resolution, Effective communication, Depression coping skills, Goal Setting, Emotional regulation, BIPOC

Ean Burchell

Registered Counselling Therapist
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Halifax, NS)
Virtual Sessions in ON, NS, NB, PE, and NL.
Waitlist
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Ean Burchell

Ean Burchell

Registered Counselling Therapist
$100/session
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration
Men's issues, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Thought Restructuring, Anxiety, Behavioural Issues, Couples, Depression, Conflict resolution, Emotional regulation, Court Mandated Counselling, Existential questions, Family issues, Fears and phobia, Abuse (Sexual/Physical/Verbal), LGBTQ2IA+, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Masculinity, School challenges, Negative thinking and ruminating, Phobias, PTSD, Trauma, Anger, Grief and Loss, Identity and Self-Exploration

Joe Gentile

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Bolton, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Joe Gentile

Joe Gentile

Registered Social Worker
$125/session
Problematic video gaming, Anxiety, Addiction, Anger Management, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Burnout, Chronic Illness, Competitive anxiety, Couples, Depression, Eating disorders, Familial and social relationships, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Managing ADHD symptoms, Men's issues, Negative body image, OCD, School challenges, Sports Performance, Stress, Grief and Loss
Problematic video gaming, Anxiety, Addiction, Anger Management, Attachment, Boundaries and boundary setting, Behavioural Issues, Burnout, Chronic Illness, Competitive anxiety, Couples, Depression, Eating disorders, Familial and social relationships, Imposter syndrome, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Managing ADHD symptoms, Men's issues, Negative body image, OCD, School challenges, Sports Performance, Stress, Grief and Loss

Jacqueline Groves

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Jacqueline Groves

Jacqueline Groves

Registered Social Worker
She/Her
$160/session
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression, Depression coping skills, Anger Management, Attention and Impulsivity, Behavioural Issues, BIPOC, Break-up recovery, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Burnout, Interpersonal dynamics, Conflict resolution, Meaning and purpose, Imposter syndrome, Christian counselling
Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Depression, Depression coping skills, Anger Management, Attention and Impulsivity, Behavioural Issues, BIPOC, Break-up recovery, Boundaries and boundary setting, Building Meaningful Connections, Building Self-Care Routines, Women's Health, Workplace stress, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Personal Growth, Burnout, Interpersonal dynamics, Conflict resolution, Meaning and purpose, Imposter syndrome, Christian counselling

Michal Goldstein

Registered Social Worker
Waitlist
Offers In-Person (Toronto, ON)
Virtual Sessions in ON.
Waitlist
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Michal Goldstein

Michal Goldstein

Registered Social Worker
$190/session
Children/Teens, Parenting, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behavioural Issues, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregiver burnout, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
Children/Teens, Parenting, Relationships, Anxiety, Anxiety and Stress Management Skills, Behavioural Issues, Building Self-Care Routines, Caregiver burnout, Dealing with difficult or narcissistic personalities, Effective communication, Low Self-Esteem and Self Worth, Navigating challenging relationships, Understanding & Regulating Emotions, Grief and Loss
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Therapy is hard work.

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What are behavioural issues?

Behavioural issues refer to patterns of behaviour that cause difficulties in daily life, relationships, school, or work. This can include aggression, defiance, impulsivity, withdrawal, tantrums, risk-taking, or difficulty following rules. While some challenging behaviour is developmentally normal, persistent or severe behavioural difficulties may indicate that additional support would be helpful.

Who might benefit from therapy for behavioural issues?

Therapy may be helpful for children, adolescents, or adults whose behaviour is causing problems at home, school, work, or in relationships. It's also valuable for parents seeking to understand and respond more effectively to a child's challenging behaviour. Therapy can help whether the behaviour is a recent development or a long-standing pattern.

What's it like to work on behavioural issues in therapy?

Therapy for behavioural concerns typically involves understanding what's driving the behaviour—whether that's difficulty with emotions, unmet needs, environmental stressors, or something else. For children, therapy often includes play-based approaches and parent involvement. Sessions focus on developing new skills, improving communication, and creating environments that support positive behaviour change.

How long does therapy for behavioural issues typically take?

The duration depends on the complexity of the issues and how long the patterns have been established. Some families or individuals see improvement within several sessions, while more entrenched patterns may take longer to shift. Your therapist can give you a better sense of what to expect based on your specific situation.

How do I know if a therapist is right for me?

Finding a therapist who has experience with behavioural concerns and who feels non-judgmental and supportive is important. On First Session, you can watch therapist intro videos to get a sense of their approach and personality. If seeking help for a child, look for someone who seems warm and engaging with young people.

How do I book a session?

Browse therapists on First Session who work with behavioural issues, watch their intro videos, and book directly online when you find someone who seems like a good fit. Many therapists work with individuals and families both online and in person.