What is PCIT ?
PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION THERAPY is a proven parent-child treatment program that assists parents of children with behavioral problems (aggression, non-compliance, defiance, and temper tantrums). Originally developed by Dr. Sheila Eyberg, PCIT is a unique treatment program that focuses on promoting positive parent-child relationships and interactions while teaching parents effective child management skills. PCIT has been adapted as an intervention for many different types of families (child welfare population, at-risk families, adoptive families, foster families, etc.) and other languages including Spanish and Chinese. PCIT works with both the parent and child to improve the parent-child relationship and teach parents important skills to manage their child's behavior problems.
PCIT program has two program components.
In the Relationship Enhancement component, parents are taught and coached how to decrease negative aspects of the relationship with their child and to develop consistently positive and supportive communication.
In the Strategies for Compliance component, parents are taught and coached the elements of effective discipline and child management skills. Parents learn and acquire specific skills, practice these skills until mastery is achieved and the child's behavior has improved.
Appropriate Referrals
The most appropriate referrals are children between the ages of 2-7 years who are exhibiting some challenging behavioral issues. PCIT is most effective with young children and parents who want to improve their relationship with their children.
PCIT is appropriate for children:
-difficulty in school, preschool, or daycare
-agression towards parents, siblings, and/or other children
-sass back to their parents
-refuse to follow directions
-have frequent temper tantrums
-swearing
-defiance and/or oppositional
who currently live with their parent(s) or in the case of foster children, live with an involved foster parent , adoptive parent, or have unlimited contact with the parent they are reunifying with
who may be on medication to manage their behavior
What is PCAT?
Parent Child Attunement Therapy draws from the same principles as PCIT and is appropriate for children ages 12 to 36 months. Goals for PCAT include;
Enhancing the child-caregiver relationship
Reducing the caregiver's level of stress
Increasing the caregiver's understanding of child development
In Summary
Both types of treatment involve the parent and child in one room, while the therapist observes and coaches with a "bug-in-the-ear" type device from another room. Parents are strongly urged to practice their skills at home and ask questions and resolve problems with the therapist in session. The pace of PCIT is very dependant on the parent, because practice of the skills increases the parent(s)' ability and creates consistency and predictibility that children can more easily follow. For more questions, please click the link above for pcittrainingtv, or call me (858) 451-9929.