Brandon’s journey highlights the transformative power of Therapeutic Behavioral Services for ADHD, helping children manage challenges and build lasting skills.
When Brandon first joined Casa Pacifica’s Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) program, he faced significant challenges. The polite and artistic ten-year-old struggled with ADHD, making it difficult to regulate his emotions while navigating a complex living arrangement. Splitting his time between his mom, grandmother, and father’s homes, Brandon also took on the role of being an older brother to a sibling with autism—a responsibility he embraced with love but often found overwhelming.
Brandon’s emotional struggles manifested through physical and verbal aggression, especially during transitions between homes. “He would start to melt down and then grab things to throw or to break,” recalls his mother, Julia. “We were always on edge when it came to these transitions or changes in the schedule.”
Understanding Brandon’s sensitivities, especially when it came to his younger sibling, Casa Pacifica’s TBS team developed an approach to help Brandon and his family acquire coping strategies tailored to his unique needs.
“At Casa Pacifica, our Therapeutic Behavioral Services approach is rooted in identifying and building on a child’s inherent strengths. By focusing on what they do well and helping them leverage these abilities, we can reduce challenging behaviors and create lasting positive change,” says John Pineda, TBS Program Manager.
Over the past year, Brandon has shown extraordinary growth. With the steady support of his mother and grandmother, who actively attended his sessions and practiced the skills he learned, Brandon has made incredible strides.
“Instead of expressing frustration through aggression, Brandon communicates his feelings more effectively,” Julia explains. “He asks for what he needs and wants using calm, respectful language. TBS has been huge in helping improve his relationships at home and school.”
But Brandon’s journey doesn’t stop there. He has become a role model for his younger brother, teaching him the same skills he has learned. His progress is evident during review meetings, where he calmly advocates for himself, sharing his strengths and addressing concerns with confidence.
Now, as Bradon prepares to graduate from the TBS program, his treatment team celebrates his success alongside his family. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, love, and the right support system.
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About Casa Pacifica
Headquartered in Camarillo, California, Casa Pacifica is the largest non-profit provider of children’s and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. It’s nationally accredited programs and services include residential treatment, therapeutic behavioral services, wraparound services, mobile crisis response, transitional youth services, school-based mental health services and foster care services along with a fully certified, diploma-granting Non-Public School for grades K-12. Casa Pacifica specializes in treating children and youth who struggle with complex mental health challenges including anxiety, depression and emotional dysregulation. Nearly 52,500 children have been admitted to one of its programs since its founding in 1994.
To learn more or to get involved, email info@casapacifica.org or call 805-366-4040.