Behavioral Health

Behavioral health covers a wide range of disorders and challenging behaviors. Any time you or your teen struggle with difficult behaviors like inattention, anger, or aggression, you can depend on receiving personalized care from Debra Black-Mayo, MS, LPC, CCTP, CDBT, at Mayo Counseling Center, LLC, in Chandler, Arizona. Debra offers compassionate therapy and behavioral support proven to help you overcome problem behaviors. To learn more, call the office or use the booking feature to request an in-person or telehealth appointment today.

What is behavioral health?

Behavioral health is a broad, umbrella term encompassing the diagnosis and treatment of mental, behavioral, substance use, and developmental disorders. Distinguishing between behavioral and mental health isn’t always straightforward.

Most mental health disorders also have behavior-related symptoms. Many behavioral health disorders co-occur with mental health disorders. However, you can have a behavior problem without a mental health diagnosis.

What disorders are included in behavioral health?

Behavioral health disorders are defined by disruptive, dysfunctional, or destructive behaviors. These behaviors may resemble typical childhood problems like temper tantrums and aggression, but they’re not the same.

Behavioral problems involve an ongoing pattern of challenging behavior that lasts at least six months. Additionally, the behavior is severe enough to cause problems at home, in school, and during social events.

Behavioral disorders include:

• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
• Intermittent explosive disorder
• Conduct disorder

Developmental disabilities, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often classified as behavior disorders.

A few examples of mental health disorders with behavioral symptoms include:

• Tic disorders
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder

In all these disorders, disruptive behaviors can significantly impact your mental well-being.

What are the symptoms of behavioral health disorders?

Behavioral health disorders represent a wide range of symptoms. A few of the most common include:

• Inattention
• Hyperactivity
• Impulsive behaviors
• Frequent temper tantrums
• Excessive arguing
• Defiant behavior
• Blaming others (for your mistakes)
• Resentment
• Aggression
• Anger
• Bullying
• Lying

In severe cases of conduct disorder, the symptoms include criminal behaviors, including stealing, destroying property, and causing physical harm to people or animals.

How are behavioral health disorders treated?

Behavioral health disorders typically require intensive, long-term therapy. The type of therapy depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall goals.

During your initial appointment, Debra discusses your symptoms and learns about your challenges. She also uses standardized questionnaires and forms to fully evaluate your behaviors, when they occur, and their impact on your life.

Behavioral therapies focus on eliminating disruptive behaviors. A few examples include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT)
• Social learning theory

Debra also specializes in several trauma-focused therapies, offering a range of interventions that effectively treat behavioral disorders associated with trauma.

To learn more about behavioral health or to schedule an appointment, call Mayo Counseling Center, LLC, or book an appointment online today.