Conduct Disorder
What Is Conduct Disorder?
Conduct Disorder is not simply “bad behaviour”. It is often the visible tip of the iceberg, with underlying emotional, cognitive, social or environmental factors driving it.
Conduct Disorder is a mental health condition that involves a persistent pattern of behaviour in children and adolescents where the rights of others or major societal norms are violated. The symptoms may start to present prior to or after 10 years of age. This can include aggression toward people or animals, destruction of property, deceitfulness, theft, or serious rule violations.
Every individual’s experience is unique; children with conduct disorder may struggle with empathy, impulse control and forming healthy relationships.
There are two general onset types:
- Childhood-onset type: symptoms appear before the age of 10
- Adolescent-onset type: symptoms appear after the age of 10
Symptoms must persist for at least 12 months and cause significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning.
Early identification and support are crucial to preventing long-term difficulties and supporting healthy emotional development.
Symptoms of Conduct Disorder
Aggression
Destruction of property
Deceitfulness
Serious rule violations
Causes of Conduct Disorder
There is no single cause of Conduct Disorder. Rather, it is a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and environmental influences:
- Neurodevelopmental factors: abnormalities in brain regions involved in emotional regulation and impulse control
- Genetic vulnerabilities: family history of mental health conditions, especially antisocial behaviour or substance misuse
- Parenting and attachment: inconsistent discipline, exposure to neglect or abuse, poor parental supervision
- Environmental stressors: poverty, exposure to violence, peer rejection, school difficulties
- Co-occurring conditions: ADHD, anxiety, depression, and learning disorders are often present
Every child has a different story, which is why assessment and support must be tailored.
When To Seek Help
It may be time to reach out for support if:
- The behaviours are escalating in frequency or severity
- Your child’s behaviour causes distress at home, school or in the community
- You feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or unsure of what to do
- Your child is showing signs of aggression, threats, cruelty, or stealing
- There is a family history of conduct, oppositional, or emotional disorders
- You suspect your child may be struggling emotionally underneath the behaviour
Seeking early intervention can significantly improve long-term outcomes for both the child and their family.
How Can Us Help You?
Experienced Therapists
Our processes and quality assurance is led by Dr.Emma Waddington, a UK-trained senior clinician psychologist and Founder of Us Therapy, with over 20+ years of experience in helping individuals in Singapore.
Holistic & Personalised Approach
Our clinicians draw from various therapeutic models to create a holistic approach. At Us, we have seen hundreds of clients and we recognise that each individual is unique. Our approach is tailored to you but always includes customised treatment plans and integrative techniques.
Thorough Assessment
At Us, we pride ourselves on our comprehensive assessment processes. We will undergo a thorough assessment process with you in your first sessions before we come up with a plan for your therapy.
Our Therapists
Therapy Approaches
Comprehensive Assessment
A comprehensive psychological assessment helps uncover what lies beneath. This assessment explores:
- Changes in the child’s behaviour over time
- Their neurodevelopmental profile
- Family dynamics and parenting practices
- Social environment (peers, school, community stressors)
- Possible trauma history or co-occurring conditions (e.g., ADHD, anxiety)
A thorough understanding helps identify the best pathway forward, whether that is individual therapy, behavioural strategies, parenting support, or most often a combination of these.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Recognise patterns in their thinking and behaviour
- Learn how to pause before acting on impulses
- Develop empathy and perspective-taking
- Build conflict-resolution and coping skills
Social Skills And Emotional Regulation Training
Many children with conduct disorder have difficulties with frustration tolerance, emotional outbursts, or misreading social cues. Therapy sessions often include:
- Identifying and naming feelings
- Practising calming techniques
- Role-playing social interactions
- Learning respectful communication
Group therapy may also be offered to build peer skills in a supportive environment
Parenting Support
Since the social world of children is key to their development, clinicians will also explore family life and parenting approaches. Parents may be asked about daily routines, discipline practices or stressors at home.
Therapists may then recommend evidence-based parenting resources to:
- Help reduce conflict
- Promote prosocial behaviour
- Support emotion regulation
- Build more secure parent-child relationships
Parenting interventions such as Parent Management Training (PMT) have strong research backing and can significantly improve behaviour over time.
Trauma-Informed Therapy
In some cases, Conduct Disorder behaviours are shaped by unresolved trauma or chronic stress. When this is identified, therapy will focus on:
- Building a sense of safety
- Processing past experiences
- Strengthening self-worth and emotional regulation
School and Community Collaboration
To create lasting change, strategies at home should also be supported at school. With caregiver consent, therapists can:
- Liaise with teachers or school psychologists
- Develop classroom behaviour plans
- Offer strategies for transitions, attention support, or peer engagement
Community involvement may also include support groups, extracurricular activities, or mentoring programmes to strengthen the child’s sense of belonging.
Safety and Crisis Planning
Some children benefit most from individual therapy. Others thrive with strong parental involvement and community support. Most benefit from a blend of approaches. Our goal is always to build a plan that works for your child and your family, and to adjust it as needs change over time.
With the right understanding, guidance, and support, change is possible. Therapy for Conduct Disorder is not about “fixing” a child; it is about uncovering what they need to feel safe, heard, connected, and capable of making positive choices.
What To Expect
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$310
Principal Psychologist
$290
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$262
Educational Psychologist
$262
Clinical Psychologist
$236
Counsellor
$170
Expressive Arts Therapist
$170
Associate Psychologist
$130
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Conduct Disorder
How is conduct disorder diagnosed?
Conduct Disorder is diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). Diagnosis involves a comprehensive assessment, which includes:
- Interviews with the child and caregivers
- Behaviour checklists or questionnaires
- Review of the child’s developmental, educational, medical, and family history
- Observations of behaviours at home, school, and in social settings
- Rule-outs of other conditions like ADHD, mood disorders, or autism spectrum disorder
To meet diagnostic criteria, the child must show a persistent pattern of behaviour (lasting at least 12 months) that violates the basic rights of others or major social norms, with at least one symptom present in the last six months.
Because symptoms can overlap with other disorders or life stressors, accurate diagnosis is essential for developing the most appropriate and compassionate treatment plan.
How to discipline a child with Conduct Disorder?
Do children grow out of Conduct Disorder?
Is Conduct Disorder a type of ADHD?
No, but they can co-occur. ADHD primarily affects attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, whereas Conduct Disorder involves deliberate behaviours that violate social norms or harm others. When both are present, a dual diagnosis and integrated treatment plan is recommended.