Helping You Understand And Respond To Your Toddler’s Behaviour – With Confidence And Care
Toddlerhood is a time of big emotions, rapid development and growing independence. For many families, this stage also brings frequent tantrums, aggression, defiance or behaviours that feel overwhelming and hard to manage.
If your toddler’s behaviour is leaving you worried, exhausted or unsure what to do next, you’re not alone. Karitane’s Toddler Clinic provides professional, evidence-based support to help families understand what’s driving their child’s behaviour and build practical, responsive strategies that strengthen the parent–child relationship.
When Is Toddler Behaviour Part Of Normal Development – And When Is Support Helpful?
Our aim is to increase positive behaviours and provide strategies to help strengthen the parent-child relationship. We work closely with families to support their individual needs and provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.
How the Toddler Clinic can help
Karitane’s Toddler Clinic is designed to support families with toddlers experiencing ongoing behavioural and emotional challenges. Our experienced clinicians work closely with parents to understand each child’s unique needs and provide tailored guidance that fits your family.
- Through the clinic, families can expect:
- A thorough assessment of your child’s behaviour and development
- Support to understand the reasons behind challenging behaviour
- Coaching to strengthen the parent–child relationship
- Practical strategies to respond to tantrums, aggression and defiance
- Guidance that aligns with responsive, evidence-based parenting approaches
- Our focus is not on “fixing” children, but on supporting parents and toddlers to feel safer, calmer and more connected.
Our approach: Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
The Toddler Behaviour Clinic uses Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) – an evidence-based, play-based therapy shown to reduce challenging behaviour and improve relationships between parents and children.
PCIT focuses on:
- Strengthening the emotional connection between parent and child
- Helping parents respond calmly and consistently to behaviour
- Supporting toddlers to develop emotional regulation and cooperation
- Reducing the intensity and frequency of tantrums and aggression
Parents are coached in real time, learning skills they can confidently use at home, in public and in everyday routines. A specialist therapist will guide you in real-time while you play with your child. This helps strengthen your bond and builds your confidence in managing challenging behaviours. PCIT is approximately 20 weekly sessions of 1 hour and sessions can be in-person or delivered virtually.
Who the Toddler Clinic supports
The clinic supports families with toddlers who may be experiencing:
- Frequent or intense tantrums
- Physical and verbal aggression (hitting, biting, kicking)
- Defiance or difficulty following instructions
- Destructive behaviours
- Emotional regulation challenges
- Separation anxiety or behavioural distress
- Over-activity
- Hyperactivity
- Sibling rivalry
- Support is tailored to each family’s situation and cultural context, with a strong emphasis on compassion, understanding and practical outcomes.
What to expect from your sessions
Every family’s journey is different, but most parents tell us they leave feeling:
- More connected to their child
- More confident in responding to their child’s behaviour
- Better equipped with practical, realistic strategies
- Supported in a calm, judgement-free environment
Our clinicians take the time to listen, understand and work alongside you at a pace that feels manageable.
Accessing the Toddler Clinic
The Toddler Clinic is free service for Medicare card holders. Appointments are available in-centre and, where appropriate, via virtual services to support families across NSW. If you’re unsure whether this service is right for your family, we encourage you to get in touch to discuss your concerns. Your first appointment will take about two hours where you will share your concerns. Given the length and sensitive nature of the interview, children are unable to attend your first appointment. Partners are welcome to join, as it’s common for parents to have different views on behaviours. The program usually includes 15 weekly one-hour sessions. To get the best results, it’s important to attend regularly and practice the skills at home with your child.
You don’t have to manage this alone
Parenting a toddler with challenging behaviour can feel isolating, but help is available. With the right support, families often see meaningful improvements – not just in behaviour, but in confidence, connection and everyday life.
Talk to Karitane today to find out how the Toddler Clinic can support you and your child.
