8 Year Old Boy Showing Signs of Anger and Agression

One route is to go to a private practice. If you have good insurance, go to their website and see who is on their preffered list. Their is usually a blurb about what their specialties are. Call 3 or 4 of the ones that looks the best.
Have a list of questions prepared and what you are looking to work on and go with the one that you feel you would like to work with. Sometimes theripists that come highly reccomended have long waiting lists and then if you don't like them you feel bad about changing because you waited so long and they are supposed to be the "best". It's better to chose someone that you or your son would feel comfortable with.

Another alternative is to go through the state. The state will pay for services. They have lots of providers in the area. And you can get services tailored to what you need.

First you will need to call Chester County I U to find out how to qualify and to get referals to providers in the area (private non profit).

Some of the services they offer are counseling, family counseling, in home counseling (wrap around) where a consultant meets with the parents/family and a mobile therapist comes in and meets with the client (your son). Most people don't know about these services that our state offers.

If you want to learn more about these service you can check out CCIU's website. Or you could go directly to a provider like CGRC.org (child guidence resource center).

If you are interested in these serviecs there is a process to receiving them. Either of the two services above will tell you what you need to do to qualify.

Hope this helps,
C.

A bit about me: I have a MA in clinical Psych. Most recently I worked for CGRC as a Behavioral Specialist Consultant. I am now a stay at home mom with two kids, a girl 7 and very very active boy age 4. I feel your pain!

I have an 8yr old girl, that had different issues, she is on the outside of the cirle looking in and has low self esteem and low self confidence, she gets upset quickly, and can have a temper with her little brother. When I sought out counciling I looked first at my health insurance and what doctors I could go see, and picked from there. I found a great woman in Coatesville, ( I am in the Honey Brook area) that works from her home, so it is great because Brit just feels like we go over to her house and she gets to play games with her. She has been doing this since may, and it has helped us a great deal. I would start possibly with your health insurance and go from there. Hope that helps a little.

Hi G.,

My 10-year old sees a counselor in West Chester on Market St. for his ADHD/temper issues. I've had a good experience with them, and their hours are very flexible - they have evening hours almost every night.

Of course, you have to check with your insurance company to see if they cover them, but here's the information:

DCPS (Delaware County Professional Services)
780 E. Market St Suite 230
West Chester, PA 19382
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www.dcpsonline.com

If you want more information, you can send me a private message if you want. Good luck!

A.

G.,

Sounds like you have your hands full. I have heard several people recommend the following agency in Downingtown for counseling. I would also recommend a great book (in your spare time!) about kids with challenging temperaments called The Explosive Child by Ross Green. I have also heard good things about the West Chester counseling referral that was already given to you in another response (I'm currently studying school psychology and am doing my internship in a local school setting).

The Downingtown resource is:
HUMAN SERVICES, INC. (DOWNINGTOWN)

520 East Lancaster Avenue Downingtown, PA 19335
Child And Family Outpatient Services
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Hi G.,
I'm sorry you are going through this. You are definitely doing the right thing going the family counseling route.

I would highly recommend Jill Crawford in the Exton/Malvern area, right on Swedesford Road.

I have taken my daughter to her and she really is very caring and wonderful.

www.jillcrawfordcounseling.com

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womens resource center wayne pa
remember your little boys brain is like a tree, constantly growing and in order to make sure his trunk is straight, deal with now. i was like him when i was his age and now realize that years of feeling angry has made me an angry adult(in therapy).i remeber finding things as a kid that i was interested in doing by myself because i was usually difficult.i was very good at reading and loved it. Find something he loves to do and stick with it as a way to practice positive reinforcement, and so he can practice emotional control. any physical activity will be almost identical to any meds cuz excercise gives you that happy hormone. i wish my mom didnt repond to me with so much frustration. it made me feel very negative.the earlier the better..you still have the chance to permanantely change your sons brain chemistry for life..
about me..im a 26 sociologist/psych stay at home mom with a 13 month old. and three nephews your sons age.

Hi G.-
I am also in Chester County and have a 12 year old boy that has Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, anxiety issues, depression, etc. (including anger/aggression issues). We have found a psychologist that is fantastic on Paoli-Dr. Daniel Yemin with the Center for Psychological Services.
http://www.centerpsych.com/index.html
Do you have a good pediatrician? That was the biggest help for us. We began going to All Star Pediatrics in Lionville and saw Dr. Rob, who recognized what was going on with my son and referred us to wonderful mental health practicioners. I would highly recommend all of the doctors in their office-they are phenominal!
You are in a good school district too-I would see what services they could offer you as well. You can request a psychological evaluation from the school psychologist, just to make sure there is not an underlying issue that you are not aware of-you would need to do this in writing and state the reasons you are requesting it.
I know someone mentioned the Chester COunty IU in an earlier post. From what I was told with my son, once he turned 5 the referral to their system had to come after the school psychologist's evaluation and diagnosis that showed there is a need for their services. Once this is done though, you can be eligable for lots of services for your son to your entire family, depending on the determined need-at no cost to you.
Just remember in your most frustrated moments how lucky your son is to have a mom who cares so much about him! Unfortunatly not all children are so lucky.
Good luck! E.