Rethinking Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Children reacting to the system around them

The Modern Therapist's Survival Guide with Curt Widhalm and Katie Vernoy

Rethinking Oppositional Defiant Disorder—Children Reacting to the System Around Them

Curt and Katie chat about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), reframing it as a response to systemic and environmental stressors rather than a characterological flaw in children. They explore diagnostic challenges, systemic bias, and treatment considerations that support children and families more holistically. This episode is designed to help therapists critically assess and intervene when working with oppositional or defiant behaviors.

Course Available for CE Credit:
One unit of continuing education is available for this episode at moderntherapistcommunity.com. Listen, purchase the course, pass the post-test, and earn your certificate!

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how ODD criteria can be misapplied without systemic context

• Identify the impact of trauma, neurodivergence, and racism on misdiagnosis

• Apply a functional, family systems-based approach to treating oppositional behaviors

• Learn which interventions are evidence-based—and which to avoid

• Recognize the importance of treating ODD like an adjustment to environment, not a lifelong label

Link to Full Show Notes:
Full references, transcript, and resource list at mtsgpodcast.com

Join the Modern Therapist Community:
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Creative Credits:
Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano – groomsymusic.com
Voice Over by DW McCann – facebook.com/McCannDW