Holly Paymon, P.h.D | Clinical Psychologist
Holly Paymon, P.h.D
Clinical Psychologist

Therapy for Children 0-8 Years
and Families in Los Angeles

Toilet Learning Support in
Los Angeles

Let’s Ditch the Diapers, Together.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to potty train? Are you stuck in a cycle of accidents, resistance, and frustration? Toilet learning is a major developmental milestone, but it’s rarely as simple as it may seem. If you feel like you’ve tried everything and are ready to say goodbye to diapers but don’t know where to turn, I am here to help. 

At Child & Family STEPS, I offer personalized plans with step-by-step guidance and practical strategies to make this transition a positive and successful experience for your family. We focus on addressing challenges, motivating your child, and reinforcing successful toilet use in a supportive and encouraging way.

What is Toilet Learning?

Toilet learning is a gentle, child-led approach to this important developmental stage. Unlike traditional “potty training,” which can sometimes be rigid and stressful, toilet learning respects your child’s individual pace and readiness. I view this process as a collaborative journey between you and your child, fostering independence and confidence. I provide you with the tools and support you need to guide your child through this natural process with patience and positivity.
Free Consultation

Why Choose Child & Family STEPS for Toilet Learning?

Dr Holly Paymon Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Holly Paymon
  • Expertise in Infant and Early Childhood Development: I combine my expertise in child development with practical, real-world strategies to create a plan that works for your child and your family. By exploring your child’s temperament, cognitive abilities, and emotional readiness, we can get to the “why” behind toileting challenges, allowing us to address the root cause of any resistance, fear, or anxiety. 
 
  • Customized, Pressure-Free plans: I will create a step-by-step, personalized toilet learning plan tailored to your child’s unique personality, developmental readiness, and interests. We will move at a pace that builds confidence, not pressure, ensuring a positive experience for everyone. 
 
  • Positive and Motivational Strategies: My methods are based on connection and positive reinforcement. I will teach you how to motivate your child and celebrate successes in a way that fosters their intrinsic pride and desire to use the toilet while avoiding power struggles.
 
  • Proven Solutions for Common Challenges: From fear of pooping on the potty to managing regressions and nighttime wetting, I have a toolkit of practical strategies to address common toileting challenges. 

What to Expect in Our Sessions

1. Readiness and Challenge Assessment: We’ll start with a comprehensive consultation to assess your child’s developmental and emotional readiness for toilet learning. We’ll discuss your family’s lifestyle, previous attempts, and any specific challenges you are facing, like fear or resistance. 

2. Developing Your Personalized Toilet Learning Plan: I will create a detailed, step-by-step plan that breaks down the toilet learning process into manageable phases, from the initial preparation and building interest to achieving independence. Once we have identified the signs of readiness in your child, we will cover how to prepare your child and your home. This includes choosing the right equipment, using positive language, and establishing a supportive environment. I will provide practical strategies for introducing the potty, teaching proper hygiene, and making potty time a fun and relaxed experience. 

3. Strategies for Motivation and Reinforcement: We emphasize the use of positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise, sticker charts, and other creative rewards, to keep your child motivated and engaged in the process. I will design a positive reinforcement system that is exciting and effective for your child, based on their interests. I will provide you with specific techniques to encourage successful toilet use and praise effort, building your child’s self-esteem along the way.

4. Implementation Support and Troubleshooting: You are not alone. As you implement the plan, I will be supporting with both navigating any obstacles and celebrating successes. As your child gains confidence, I will guide you on how to handle accidents with grace, manage nighttime learning, and reinforce long-term success. 

Free Consultation

FAQs about Toilet Learning

Who can benefit from toilet learning support?

Toilet learning support is ideal for families who:
  • Are unsure where to begin with toilet learning
  • Have a child who is showing signs of readiness, but are looking for a structured approach
  • Are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with previous toilet training attempts
  • Have a child who is fearful or anxious about using the toilet
  • Want to ensure that the toilet learning process is a positive experience that strengthens the parent-child bond
  • Are dealing with specific challenges such as toileting refusal or daytime/nighttime wetting

What are the goals of toilet learning?

For the Child:

  • Develop the skills and confidence to use the toilet independently
  • Feel proud of their accomplishments
  • Have a healthy and positive attitude towards their body and its functions

For the Parents:

  • Feel confident and equipped with effective strategies
  • Reduce stress and conflict related to toilet learning
  • Strengthen the parent-child relationship through a supportive and collaborative process

How do I know if my child is ready?

Readiness involves more than just age. While we would assess this together, key signs can include staying dry for longer periods, showing interest in the toilet, being able to follow simple instructions, communicating when they have to go, and having the basic motor skills to pull pants up and down.

My child is terrified of sitting on the potty. What can I do?

This is very common. Our plan will include gentle, step-by-step strategies to overcome this fear, such as reading books about the potty, playing near the bathroom, and celebrating even just sitting on the toilet for a few seconds with clothes on.

My child will pee on the potty, but refuses to poop. Help!

Poop withholding is one of the most frequent and frustrating toileting challenges. It often stems from a fear or a feeling of control. Your personalized plan will include specific, proven strategies to address this issue with patience and understanding.

We tried popular toilet training methods and it was a disaster. How is this different?

Fast-track methods can work for some children, but they often don’t account for individual temperament, developmental readiness, or underlying anxieties. My approach is developmental and involves creating a plan that honors your child’s pace, which leads to more sustainable, long-term success with fewer power struggles.