S4E8 - Why Is My Child Aggressive and Sad?

Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist · Jul 24, 2026 · 8m · transcript

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose son has struggled with aggression, sadness, and emotional regulation for years. She wonders why he's so different from his peers and why therapy hasn't uncovered the "reason" behind his behavior. I explain why behavior is always communication, how aggression and withdrawal are often signs of emotional pain rather than defiance, and why our goal isn't to uncover every cause of a child's struggles, but to provide the relationship and environment where healing can naturally take place.

I also discuss the connection between self-esteem…