Our Mission

The Center for Regulation Focused Psychotherapy is committed to supporting the work of clinicians, researchers, and healthcare systems in the implementation and evaluation of Regulation Focused Psychotherapy for Children (RFP-C). Regulation-Focused Psychotherapy for Children (RFP-C) is a short-term, psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) for children who are chronically irritable, oppositional, and disruptive.

Our mission is to:

  1. Educate mental health professionals, teachers and other school staff, and parents in RFP-C to better understand children’s disruptive behaviors and irritable mood; and

  2. Facilitate research to evaluate the efficacy of RFP-C and adaptations of this treatment for other age groups and presentations.

Understanding Your Child’s Disruptive Behavior

Have you ever felt helpless when it comes to parenting? Maybe your child’s behavior gets so intense that it is difficult to know how to respond. We hope that this video gives you hope and a new way of thinking about your child.

Why is it easier to get mad than it is to feel sad?

About RFP-C

Regulation-Focused Psychotherapy for Children (RFP-C) is a short-term, psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP) for children who are chronically irritable, oppositional, and disruptive.

Research demonstrates that children who participate in RFP-C experience significant decreases in irritability and fewer episodes of oppositional and disruptive behavior. Learn more about research on RFP-C.

RFP-C helps children and caregivers become aware that:

  • Disruptive behavior has meaning

  • Emotions do not have to be overwhelming

  • Children can develop their abilities to manage difficult emotions

Learn from the experts

Our team has published a comprehensive treatment manual that outlines all of the steps for a successful course of Regulation Focused Psychotherapy for Children (RFP-C). We have also published dozens of clinical and research papers that detail this approach.

Our Team

Leon Hoffman, MD

Timothy Rice, MD

Tatianna Kufferath-Lin, PsyD

Photo of Dr. Can Buyukasik

Can Buyukasik, MD

Tracy A. Prout, PhD