Help - Oppostional Defiant Dosroder

[hopefloars]

My 13 year old was sent to his grandmother's over the summer last year since he had been suspended from school for the umpteenth time. Things were going well until school had started. Once again being very defiant and suspended from school he came back home. In the mean time he was diagnosed by a therapist with ODD (Oppostional Defiant Disorder). And one week before being tested for Add/Adhd. I have read several articles on this but am at a loss as to where to go now. My son was in counseling for about 2 month's before moving to grandma's and the only thing that his councelor had any conclusion is just defiancy and was no real help. Being a mother of limited means and a full time job and a 9 year to also worry about since he is showing some of this also, more as a learned monkey see monkey do bit I am at a loss. Should I seek one on one counseling or would family counseling in the more private sector be more helpful for this problem since it is and has become more of a family matter. Any other suggestions would be of great help also. Thanks!

[Mike Bradley]

Dear Mom,
I believe that family counseling is likely the best option for you guys. This format often is the best to help an ODD teen to see the real impact of their behaviors as they show in the faces of the people that love them. Most therapists will mix the sessions as they see fit, to include one, two, or three family members.
I can hear that you are carrying a lot right now, but please try to see that, in the long run, the present burden of family counseling can free up lots of "discipline" time later, and actually bring some peace to your home. That's more than worth the effort.
Good luck.