“Beyond Behaviors provides the basis for a paradigm shift in understanding and treating children with disruptive behaviors.”

– Dr. Stephen Porges, author of The Polyvagal Theory

“I can whole-heartedly say this book is brilliant.”

– Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

“Beyond Behaviors is succinct, accessible, practical, science-based. And it’s a game changer.”

– Tina Payne Bryson, co-author of the bestseller The Whole-Brain Child

Shepherd Review

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Beyond Behaviors

Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges

by Dr. Mona Delahooke, PhD

A NEW approach to solving behavioral challenges

In Beyond Behaviors, internationally known pediatric psychologist Dr. Mona Delahooke describes behaviors as the tip of the iceberg, important signals that we should address by seeking to understand a child’s individual differences in the context of relational safety.

Featuring impactful worksheets and charts, this accessible book offers professionals, educators and parents tools and techniques to reduce behavioral challenges and promote psychological resilience and satisfying, secure relationships.

Neuroscience-based effective tools and strategies for children labeled with:

– Conduct Disorder
– Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
– Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
– Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
– Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
– Anxiety & Depression
– Autism & Developmental or Learning Differences

And children who experience or have experienced:

– Aggressive, confusing or unpredictable behaviors
– Tantrums and meltdowns
– Disconnection or shutdown
– Adverse childhood experiences
– Trauma and toxic stress

Beyond Behaviors provides the basis for a paradigm shift in understanding and treating children with disruptive behaviors. Historically, educational and therapeutic models treat anti-social and asocial behavior as motivated and incentivized. In this accessible and beautifully written volume, Dr. Delahooke pulls the veil off this myth and replaces it with a neurobiologically-informed treatment model that provides insightful directives leading to effective outcomes.

Stephen W. Porges, PhD
Distinguished University Scientist, Indiana University, Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, and author of The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe

I love this book. It will be one I give and recommend over and over. Beyond Behaviors is succinct, accessible, practical, science-based. And it’s a game changer. My hope is that not only parents, educators, clinicians, and all helping professionals read it, but that it becomes required reading for professionals in training. It’s time for us to use science-informed approaches to go beyond behaviors to support children and their caregivers, and this is the book to light the way.

Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., LCSW
Executive Director of The Center for Connection
Co-author of the bestsellers The Whole Brain-Child and No-Drama Discipline

Brilliant!! Dr. Mona Delahooke integrates knowledge from the fields of infant mental health, child development, clinical psychology and neuroscience to provide a revolutionary approach to challenging behaviors in children. Complex neurobiologic processes are beautifully translated into a practical model for meaningful intervention. The unique, yet critical, perspective on children’s most challenging behaviors has the power to transform lives. This book is an essential read for all people who care for or interact with children.

Megan Stilwill, DO FAAP
Pediatrician

Dr. Delahooke encourages child professionals and families to see concerning behaviors as the tip of an iceberg. With compassion and insight, she guides us toward creating healing environments of safety and security.

Marylyn R. Sanders, MD, FAAP
Attending Neonatologist, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
Professor of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine

As a developmental psychologist, compassion teacher, and autism mom, I can whole-heartedly say this book is brilliant. Traditional methods of “shaping” children’s behaviors typically ignore children’s emotional state, at great cost to the child’s ability to learn, develop, and form secure relationships. This book provides concrete ways to help understand safety as the foundation for children’s learning, working with rather than against natural brain functions to maximize learning potential.

Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Educational Psychology
The University of Texas at Austin

Beyond Behaviors provides the basis for a paradigm shift in understanding and treating children with disruptive behaviors. Historically, educational and therapeutic models treat anti-social and asocial behavior as motivated and incentivized. In this accessible and beautifully written volume, Dr. Delahooke pulls the veil off this myth and replaces it with a neurobiologically-informed treatment model that provides insightful directives leading to effective outcomes.

Stephen W Porges, PhD
Distinguished University Scientist, Indiana University, Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, and author of The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe.

I love this book. It will be one I give and recommend over and over. Beyond Behaviors is succinct, accessible, practical, science-based. And it’s a game changer. My hope is that not only parents, educators, clinicians, and all helping professionals read it, but that it becomes required reading for professionals in training. It’s time for us to use science-informed approaches to go beyond behaviors to support children and their caregivers, and this is the book to light the way.

Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., LCSW
Executive Director of The Center for Connection
Co-author of the bestsellers The Whole Brain-Child and No-Drama Discipline

Brilliant!! Dr. Mona Delahooke integrates knowledge from the fields of infant mental health, child development, clinical psychology and neuroscience to provide a revolutionary approach to challenging behaviors in children. Complex neurobiologic processes are beautifully translated into a practical model for meaningful intervention. The unique, yet critical, perspective on children’s most challenging behaviors has the power to transform lives. This book is an essential read for all people who care for, or interact, with children.

Megan Stilwill, DO FAAP
Pediatrician