Pathological Demand Avoidance: PDA is a profile where children or teens resist ordinary demands and expectations, usually due to high anxiety rather than deliberate defiance.
Some children and teenagers display behaviours that are oppositional, avoidant, or challenging. These behaviours can create tension at home, at school, or in social settings, and can be stressful for both the child and the family.
I work with children and teens who struggle with these patterns, supporting them and their families to understand underlying causes, improve coping, and reduce conflict.
What “behaviours of concern” can look like
Behaviours of concern may include:
- Frequent refusal to follow requests or rules
- Intense avoidance of tasks, schoolwork, or responsibilities
- Argumentative, defiant, or challenging interactions
- Emotional outbursts or mood swings
- Avoidance of situations that feel overwhelming or stressful
These behaviours are often a response to stress, anxiety, or feeling out of control, not intentional misbehaviour
How therapy can help with behaviours of concern
-Identify triggers and patterns maintaining behaviours
-Build coping strategies for anxiety, frustration, and stress
-Improve communication, social skills, and self-regulation
-Reduce conflict and support positive relationships
-Develop manageable routines and approaches to demands
Therapy is not about “fixing” the child, but helping them learn skills to manage emotions and behaviours more effectively.
My Approach
Collaborative: Working with the child and family together
Practical and Grounded: Skills & strategies that can be used in daily life
Collaborative: You are not pushed faster than you are ready to go
Evi: Usdence-Basedes Functional Behaviour Analytic techniques and clinical experience
Non-Judgemental: Behaviours are explored, not criticised
Is therapy right for you?
Consider therapy if:
- Defiance, avoidance, or oppositional behaviours are causing conflict
- Your child struggles to follow everyday routines or rules
- Behaviour is affecting school, friendships, or family life
- You want strategies that reduce stress for both your child and family
No formal diagnosis is needed to start therapy.
Therapy details
- Therapy is available for children, teens & parents
- Sessions are offered in person and via telehealth
- Appointments are confidential and paced to your needs
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is normal or cause for concern, we can explore that together.
Taking the next step
If behaviours of concern are affecting your life or someone you care about and you’d like support, you’re welcome to get in touch to discuss whether therapy might be a good fit.
- Contact us to make a confidential enquiry
Frequently asked questions
No, you do not need a referral. You can make an appointment with a psychologist without a referral from your GP or a paediatrician/psychiatrist. If you decide to do this you will need to pay the full amount for your sessions out of your own pocket.
At CAYA Psychology, individual treatment sessions are 50 minutes. Assessment sessions may be longer.
You will need to make an appointment with your GP who will assess whether you are eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan. A Mental Health Treatment Plan will enable you to claim a Medicare rebate (rebates vary by type of referral).
Click here to find out more about Fees and Rebates.
To be able to claim the Medicare rebate for your session you will need to bring a copy of your Mental Health Treatment Plan to your first appointment with your psychologist.
Psychologists are health professionals who work in a range of areas including clinical, health, neuropsychology, sports, forensic, organisational and community settings. To become a fully registered psychologist you must undertake an undergraduate degree, an Honours degree and and at least two years of supervised training and further education in the field of psychology (either a Masters or Doctorate degree).
Psychologists assist people with everyday concerns such as stress and relationship difficulties, as well as mental health issues. Psychologists use “talk therapies” to help people to develop skills to cope with difficulties and to prevent on-going issues. There are a large number of research studies supporting the effectiveness of psychological therapy.
Psychiatrists have completed a medical degree and further training and study related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychiatrists specialise in the medical treatment of mental illness and can prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists combine medication with therapy.
The procedure for a first appointment varies from practice to practice, but here is an overview of how things tend to work at CAYA Psychology:
At the beginning of your first session your psychologist will briefly run through important paperwork with you. This will include checking the information you provided in your online-intake documentation (including any medical referrals and service agreements).
We will also discuss issues such as privacy, confidentiality (and limits to this), fees and other important information about sessions.
The remainder of the session is usually spent discussing the issues that have brought you into therapy. As well as developing a thorough understanding of your concerns, your psychologist will explore relevant background history, for example, information about your family, social relationships, work history and any past counselling that you have done. Based on this information we will begin to help you to understand more about what might be causing and maintaining your current issues. If time allows we will also work with you to develop a collaborative and flexible plan for future therapy sessions.
If you are bringing your child for treatment, at their first session, your psychologist will typically start the session with parent/s and child together and discuss (using age-appropriate language) the role of a psychologist, and cover issues such as privacy, confidentiality (and limits to this) as above.
Your psychologist will then discuss the reasons that have brought you and your child into therapy with you all. Your psychologist will then typically spend a portion of the session alone with your child to further discuss issues of concern and to explore your child’s interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. Your psychologist will then provide some initial feedback to you (the parent). Subsequent consultations will typically follow a similar approach.