Decoding Challenging Student Behavior Through a Trauma-Informed, Relational Lens

 Earn 1.5 CE Contact Hours

Children’s behaviors are often interpreted through the lens of compliance, discipline, or motivation. Yet behavior frequently communicates far more than adults initially recognize. This workshop challenges participants to move beyond asking, “How do we stop this behavior?” and instead ask, “What is this child communicating?”

Grounded in trauma-informed, relational, and systemic practice, participants will learn to distinguish trauma responses from behavioral concerns while also considering the influence of anxiety, ADHD, autism, executive functioning, developmental stage, family dynamics, culture, environmental stressors, and other factors that shape children’s behavior. Through clinical case examples, practical assessment tools, and guided reflection, participants will develop a structured framework for decoding student behavior, selecting developmentally appropriate interventions, and strengthening relationships with children and adolescents.

Rather than viewing behavior as a problem to eliminate, participants will leave with a relational approach that emphasizes curiosity over assumption, investigation over judgment, and connection as the foundation for meaningful and lasting change.

Learning Objectives:

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

• Differentiate trauma responses from behavioral concerns while recognizing additional developmental, neurological, environmental, and mental health factors that influence student behavior.
• Apply a structured framework for decoding student behavior to improve assessment, intervention planning, and multidisciplinary collaboration within school settings.
• Develop trauma-informed, relationally focused intervention strategies that strengthen student regulation, engagement, and relationships while maintaining appropriate accountability.

Who Should Attend:

School social workers, school counselors, psychologists, teachers, administrators, mental health professionals, therapists, social workers, counselors, behavior specialists, and other professionals who support children and adolescents. This workshop is especially valuable for practitioners seeking trauma-informed, relational, and developmentally responsive approaches to understanding student behavior, strengthening relationships, and improving outcomes across school and community settings.

Meet Barbara:

Barbara, is a school social worker, therapist, and founder of Barbara B Therapy. She has over 10 years of social work experience and specializes in child and adolescent mental health, trauma-informed practice, family engagement, and school-based behavioral intervention.