Oppositional Defiant Disorder Therapy - Camali Clinic

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About Service

Making Lives Better

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioural condition characterised by a persistent pattern of angry, irritable mood, argumentative behaviour, and defiance towards authority figures. While some opposition is a normal part of child development, ODD involves a level of intensity and persistence that significantly disrupts family life, school, and peer relationships. At Camali Clinic, our specialist team works with children, adolescents, and their families using evidence-based approaches to reduce conflict and build healthier patterns of communication and behaviour.

Who Needs It

Children and adolescents who display a persistent and disruptive pattern of defiant, hostile, or non-compliant behaviour toward parents, teachers, or other authority figures – lasting at least 6 months and causing significant impairment at home or school.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Therapy

1. Symptoms may include

  • Frequent and persistent angry outbursts or temper tantrums beyond what is developmentally expected
  • Consistently arguing with adults or authority figures (parents, teachers)
  • Deliberately refusing to follow rules or requests from adults
  • Deliberately annoying or provoking others, and reacting very easily to perceived slights
  • Blaming others for their own mistakes or behaviour
  • Vindictive or spiteful behaviour – seeking to get back at others
  • Symptoms cause significant impairment at home, school, or in peer relationships, and persist for 6 months or more
  • Parent Management Training (PMT) – the primary evidence-based intervention for ODD; parents are coached in consistent, positive behavioural strategies to reduce conflict and reinforce compliance
  • Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) – a structured approach that helps children develop the skills to manage frustration and solve problems without conflict
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – helping the child or adolescent identify triggers, manage emotions, and develop more adaptive responses
  • Family therapy – improving communication patterns and reducing family conflict
  • School liaison and behaviour support planning – working with teachers to implement consistent strategies across home and school
  • Psychiatry consultation where co-occurring conditions (e.g. ADHD, anxiety) need to be assessed or treated

Our Team

We are here to guide you

Meet the specialists who bring compassion, knowledge, and experience to every aspect of care.

Dr Mahshid Bayat

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Akbar Shourestan

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Sreevidhya K. Srinivas

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Emmanuelle Massad

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Dr Fadi Maalouf

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Dr Girish Banwari

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Dr Kusay Moosa Hadi

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Step-by-Step Support

How we provide the service

Learn how our structured, personalized process guides each individual through assessment, planning, and tailored support to achieve meaningful results.
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01
Comprehensive Assessment
A detailed assessment is conducted with the child and family to understand the nature, frequency, and triggers of the defiant behaviour, and to identify any co-occurring conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, or learning difficulties.
02
Parent-Led Intervention
Treatment is primarily delivered through parent training sessions, equipping caregivers with practical tools to reduce conflict, set clear boundaries, and respond consistently to challenging behaviour.
03
Child and Family Sessions
Depending on the child's age and needs, individual sessions with the child and/or family therapy sessions are provided to strengthen communication and rebuild the parent-child relationship.

Specific FAQs

1.

Is ODD the same as normal naughty behaviour?

No. ODD involves a consistent pattern of behaviour that is significantly more intense and disruptive than typical developmental defiance, and causes clear impairment in daily functioning.

Yes. ODD frequently co-occurs with ADHD, anxiety disorders, and learning difficulties. A thorough assessment will identify any co-occurring conditions that require separate treatment.