Supporting High-Conflict Youth: Building Connection, Regulation, and Resilience

High-conflict youth often present with intense emotions, reactive behaviours, and ongoing interpersonal challenges—but beneath the conflict is often unmet need, stress, or unresolved experiences. This practical and compassionate workshop helps participants move beyond managing behaviour to understanding and effectively supporting the young person behind it.

Participants will explore the underlying drivers of high-conflict behaviour, including emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, and environmental stressors. The workshop emphasizes the importance of relationship, consistency, and co-regulation, while equipping participants with tools to de-escalate conflict, set clear boundaries, and respond in ways that reduce power struggles.

Through real-world strategies and reflective practice, attendees will build confidence in working with youth who may be resistant, oppositional, or easily triggered—while fostering trust, safety, and long-term growth.

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding the root causes of high-conflict behaviour in youth
• Recognizing triggers, patterns, and escalation cycles
• Developing strategies for de-escalation and emotional regulation
• Setting clear, consistent boundaries without increasing conflict
• Building relationships that foster trust, safety, and positive change