Coral Tree: Working with Families to Address Challenging Behaviour in Children

Coral Tree Family Service is a tertiary referral service that works with families of children with longstanding mental health, behavioural, emotional and relationship difficulties through various programs including weeklong residential stays, a 12-month school intervention and case consultations to professionals in NSW Health. 

This full-day training introduces an evidence-based, family-centred approach to understanding and addressing challenging behaviours in children. Participants will explore practical strategies to support parents and carers as the key agents of change, drawing on principles from behavioural, relational, and attachment-informed models. Topics include managing child aggression, using time-out safely and effectively, and strengthening connection through emotion coaching and play. 

Designed for health professionals working with children under 12, the course is grounded in Coral Tree Family Service’s clinical expertise and highlights the integration of theory, in-the-moment coaching, and parent-led intervention.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe key models underpinning Coral Tree’s family-based approach.
• Identify when and how to target specific parenting strategies for behaviour change.
• Coach parents to manage aggression using safe and appropriate time-out methods.
• Support families to build connection through child-led play, structured games, and emotion coaching.