Behaviour Intervention & Parent Support

Looking Beneath the Surface

Drawing from her 9 years of experience in behaviour intervention as a Behaviour Interventionist and Behaviour Therapist, Sheila looks beyond the surface behaviour (the "what") to understand the function and sensory needs (the "why").

We provide practical, neurodiversity-affirming behavioural strategies that respect the child's dignity while creating a more peaceful home and school environment. This includes creating visual schedules, token economies, transition plans, and sensory diets. When behaviour support needs to carry into the school day, Sheila can also collaborate with educators and school teams.

Behaviour intervention is one of several approaches Sheila draws from at Sunny Spot. You can see the full set on our approaches tailored to each child or teen.

This work is closely connected to child counselling, where behaviour is understood within a warm, relationship-first space. Families often pair it with parent coaching to carry strategies confidently into daily routines. For a combined approach, our naturalistic behaviour intervention page describes how behaviour support and play therapy can work together, and our guide to play therapy vs. behaviour intervention compares the two in plain language. You can also read more about emotional regulation support and the main FAQ for fees and availability.

Behaviour Is Communication

Behaviour often communicates something a child cannot yet explain with words. Defiance, shutdowns, aggression, avoidance, meltdowns, or difficulty following expectations may reflect overwhelm, anxiety, unmet needs, lagging skills, sensory differences, problems with transitions, or a nervous system that no longer feels able to cope. Sunny Spot approaches behaviour with curiosity and compassion while still helping families create safe, consistent boundaries.

Understanding What Is Beneath the Behaviour

Behaviour intervention can explore what happens before, during, and after difficult moments. Together, we can identify triggers, patterns, environmental demands, emotional needs, and skills that may require additional support. This helps move the focus away from blame and toward practical strategies that support regulation, communication, flexibility, and connection. When behaviour is closely tied to worry, this work connects with anxiety counselling, and when attention or executive functioning differences are part of the picture, it pairs with ADHD counselling.

Supporting the Whole Family

Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process. Support may include strengthening co-regulation, preparing for transitions, responding consistently, reducing escalating power struggles, and creating approaches that can be used across home, school, and community settings. When repeated struggles have begun to shape how a child sees themselves, self-esteem support can help rebuild confidence alongside behaviour work. Recommendations remain individualized because no single behaviour strategy works for every child or family.

Sunny Spot offers relationship-first behaviour intervention in Port Coquitlam and welcomes families from Coquitlam, Port Moody, and communities throughout the Tri-Cities.