I used time outs for my son and it helped but I also used rewards by making a reward box covered with colorful paper and when my son performed a positive behavior he got to choose a reward. When he was in elementary school I had a contract book with things he could do to receive rewards such as read ten pages in a book or use Mavis Beacon typing software and achieve 30 words per minute.

Time outs should be a minute for each year of age so five minutes for 'your' child. But you might want to start with even less than five minutes so the child will be able to accomplish something that you can praise her for doing. My son was hyperactive so sometimes he would be upside down in the time out chair but in the chair was in the chair regardless of position so I let him be.

It also helped my son to give him only one direction at a time. Instead of pick up your toys, brush your teeth and put on your pajamas I named only one at a time.

Five year old children still do not understand the difference in fantasy and reality so she likely will not understand her situation and why she cannot see her mom and dad. Perhaps spend some time with her and ask her to draw pictures of how she feels.

I agree she might benefit seeing a T.