Welcome to my website. 

Here you will find logical, common sense advice for children who are explosive, defiant, or depressed - my three major interests as a child psychologist.  My intent is to not only help you understand why your child acts the way he or she does, but to also offer practical solutions through my books, lectures, and website to the questions dominating any worried parent's mind:

How do I get my defiant teenager to follow the rules and to speak to me respectfully.

Why is my child always throwing so many tantrums at home and in school, including exploding, hitting and kicking?

What should I tell my child to do who is always getting bullied?

Is my child a brat?

Visit my Frequently Asked Parenting Questions for more advice on your child. Come back frequently, as I will be constantly upgrading and changing the site.

 

My latest book, What Your Explosive Child Is Trying To Tell You, is available at all major bookstores and web-based book sellers.  Published by Houghton Mifflin, it is the first book that teaches parents, school counselors, mental health and health care professionals how to recognize and treat the eleven hidden causes of childhood explosive behavior. 

I am pleased to announce that What Your Explosive Child Is Trying To Tell You has been awarded the prestigeous Mom's Choice Awards Gold Medal for 2009 for parenting books.

          

                  

 

To listen to an extensive interview with Dr. Riley about explosive children, click on the link below.  The interview was conducted by Deborah Harper, president of Psychjourney.

 

http://psychjourney.libsyn.com/index.php?post_

year=2008&post_month=11&post_day=18        

  

You may also wish to visit the Psychjourney website for audio interviews with other authors on a wide range of topics related to psychology.  Click on www.psychjourneypodcast.com  

 

                                                                   

Read what one Amazon.Com parent reviewer had to say:

  5.0 out of 5 stars Do yourself a favor, buy and read this book!, September 6, 2008
By  Rebecca R. Taylor
  
I have a six year old daughter who is on the Autistic Spectrum. For years, her behavior has made me want to throw myself in front of a bus. I have read so many books promising answers to our problems but none offered more than temporary relief for us and our daughter. This all changed when I read and applied Dr. Riley's recommendations. Although not written specifically for special needs children this book answered our prayers and more. Dr. Riley's techniques turned our explosive child into a model child and peace has reigned throughout our household for weeks now. As stated earlier, I have read much on this topic and have never found anything as easy to apply and easy for our daughter to put into practice. His "brain game" is sheer genius! Dr. Riley will forever be in my heart and I am eternally thankful that he has written something that provides so much to so many. If you are struggling with an explosive child there is nothing you can do to improve you and your child's life like reading and implementing Dr. Riley's techniques. I hope for the best for you and your children.

 

"I give this book a five-star rating. I cannot recommend it too highly. It ... saved my son from being sent to a residential treatment facility.
L. Weppler

The Defiant Child - Book Cover

Order The Defiant Child at Amazon.comThe Defiant Child bookcover

"I have just finished reading your book and wanted to let you know... I have nominated you for a Nobel Peace Prize.... Your book was truly the first resource to provide concrete examples, alternative recommendations, and insight into the minds of the children... After only four days of reading this, significant harmony has been restored in our lives.... We no longer walk on eggshells... Phenomenal material."
C. Urbonas

The Depressed Child - Book Cover

Order The Depressed Child at Amazon.comThe Depressed Child bookcover

"In the Depressed Child Dr. Riley has crafted an accessible and supportive guide for parents of children in emotional distress. Speaking as a mother, this poignant and timely work is right on target...."
Julia Thorne, author of You are Not Alone: Words of Experience and Hope for the Journey Through Depression.