Conduct disorder often impacts relationships and the way young people approach certain situations and interactions. They might engage in ‘reckless’ or antisocial behaviour like biting, kicking, and stealing. This can make it difficult for them to build bonds or act in a socially acceptable way. Our clinical approach aims to give them the tools and resources needed to better understand their condition and triggers, and what they can do to relate and empathise better with those around them. 

 Working closely with a team of psychotherapists, young people will come to understand the root cause of their addiction and that no one is to blame, especially not themselves. They’ll also learn how to develop healthy coping mechanisms in times of stress, ensuring that they don’t turn to violence or aggression instead. 

Some of our clinical treatment options include:

• Family therapy
• One-to-one therapy
• Expressive arts therapy
• Self-love techniques
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Somatic therapy 
• Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Group therapy

Helping every person develop a sense of self-awareness, our clinical approach aims to give young people the tools needed to transform and stick to their recovery journey. 

Whether a young person needs medication for their conduct disorder or not depends on the symptoms they experience. Our clinical and psychiatric team will assess each young person to determine whether medication is appropriate. At The Wave, we know every person is unique and that every case of conduct disorder will be different. What triggers one person won’t trigger another, so our personalised treatment approach ensures they’re given medication that best suits them and their needs. 

If at any time they experience a bad reaction to the medication, our care team will work hard to find something that’s more suitable. We’ll never let your child suffer or take medication that’s affecting their day-to-day ability to function – that’s why we’ll always monitor their medication and come up with a management plan. 

Although there is no cure for conduct disorder, some medications may help with related issues, such as impulsivity or mood instability. If other mental health conditions, such as ADHD, depression, and anxiety, are present alongside a young person’s conduct disorder, antidepressants could be prescribed.

We firmly believe that no young person should be left behind, and that’s why one of our seven elements is education. Conduct disorder can make it difficult for young people to focus and engage in healthy, productive behaviours like studying and learning, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right treatment and support, they can go on to live a fulfilling life and work towards their future.

Alongside therapy and medical treatment, we provide a range of educational opportunities designed to bolster a young person’s confidence and skills for life outside of our clinic. Whatever their dream is, we’re here to help arm them with the tools needed to achieve it.

Some of the educational pathways we offer include:

• International GAP-year experiences
• Continuation of GCSEs and A-Levels
• Vocational courses (London School of Art, Royal Horticultural Society, Leith’s School of Cookery, and The British Horse Society)

Each young person will have their own personal learning plan (PLP) to help them stick to their goals and set the foundations for a solid future

Conduct Disorder can make it difficult for young people to relate and empathise with others. It can also be especially difficult for them to look outside of themselves and see the kind of impact their behaviours are having on others. With our global citizenship program, they’ll not only learn how to develop friendships and bonds, but they’ll also learn valuable skills like teamwork and the importance of helping those around them.

Through the programme, young people with conduct disorder will be given the chance to take part in volunteering activities that give back to the community. This won’t just help them develop greater self-awareness, but it will also give them a sense of accomplishment every time they help someone or effect positive change on someone else’s life. The fact that this accomplishment is tied into helping others will also help them see that there is reward in changing their antisocial behaviours and becoming more aware of those around them.