Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a specialized type of therapy used for both children and their parents. Like other forms of therapy, PCIT involves talking to a licensed medical professional about the patient’s problems. It is designed to help children who are exhibiting disruptive behavior, are struggling to deal with trauma, or are on the autism spectrum. It is also designed to help the parents of these children learn to better communicate with them.

PCIT first involves a licensed therapist, counselor, or social worker coaching the parents on new ways of interacting with children. This involves learning to praise positive behaviors, utilize imitation as a means of positive reinforcement, and ignore minor negative behaviors. The parent is then expected to practice these behaviors in short play sessions with the child. In many cases, the therapist, counselor, or social worker observes the play session from behind a one-way mirror. They may also coach the parent during the session through a microphone and earpiece.

If completed successfully, PCIT helps reduce negative behaviors in both the parent and the child. It helps parents learn to better relate to children with emotional or communication difficulties. It also helps parents learn to discipline children effective and considerately. If practiced consistently, this leads to fewer instances of negative behavior from the child over time.

Background

Therapy, also called psychotherapy, refers to the controlled process of working with a licensed medical professional to alter thought patterns and treat mental health issues. It is commonly used to introduce new coping skills, allowing patients to more effectively manage many mental health disorders or personality disorders. It is also sometimes used to foster emotional growth, deal with trauma, or change negative behaviors.

Therapists can teach individuals to communicate more effectively. Through properly communicating their needs with those around them, patients may be able to improve the situations that have upset them. Therapists can also teach patients to look at life events from a different perspective. This may help them make peace with traumatic events.

Therapy comes in numerous forms, each tailored to help treat different types of illnesses. In talk therapy, often called psychotherapy, therapists encourage patients to talk about how they feel. Through this practice, patients gain greater insight into both their feelings and the nature of their problems.

In cognitive behavioral therapy, patients work with therapists in a specifically structured way. The pair work on recognizing inaccurate or negative thinking patterns in which the patient commonly engages. Through their sessions, the patient and therapist work together to change these patterns, altering how the patient thinks on a day-to-day basis. The techniques used in cognitive behavioral therapy commonly help patients suffering from anxiety disorders.

Exposure therapy helps treat phobias and other anxiety disorders. In exposure therapy, the patient is forced to confront the source of their emotional distress without facing any lasting harm. Over time, the fear the patient feels when exposed to the source of distress will be reduced. After numerous treatments, the patient should be able to confront the stimulus without experiencing fear or anxiety.

Overview

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a combination therapy used for both children and their parents or caregivers. It teaches new techniques to both the children and their parents, with the goal of reforming the behavior of both. It allows both parties to practice new skills and techniques for relating to one another, and can help parents learn to better relate to children with emotional or behavioral problems.

PCIT was originally developed to help improve the relationship between parents and children. It is most commonly utilized when children are between two and seven years old, or with children who have experienced trauma, are on the autism spectrum, or exhibit consistent disruptive behavior. It has also been shown to reduce the odds of such children adopting criminal or antisocial behavior.

When administering PCIT, a trained therapist acts as a coach to the parent or caregiver during sessions with the child. The therapist helps teach the parent more effective ways to interact with the child in advance. These methods include encouraging positive behaviors, mimicking the child’s positive behaviors to show approval, and giving praise to the child. If these techniques are practiced correctly, they should have a number of positive effects on the patients. These include reduced levels of aggression, increased confidence, and an increase in interactive behavior in both parents and children.

After teaching these new interactions to the parent, a PCIT therapist will instruct the parent to engage in a supervised play session with the child. In many cases, the therapist observes the play session through a one-way mirror. This allows the parent and child to interact without distraction. The therapist may also communicate with the parent during the play session through a microphone and earpiece. During this activity, the therapist can guide the parent, providing advice in real-time as the parent interacts with the child.

In many PCIT programs, the parent and child may be assigned homework. This homework usually involves practicing the relationship enhancement skills they learn in PCIT at home. Daily practice helps cement the skills into the memory of the parents, and helps establish a new relationship standard for both the parent and the child.

PCIT is usually delivered by a licensed therapist with at least a master’s degree. In most cases, the therapist also has a significant amount of experience in the field. However, PCIT may also be delivered by specialized social workers or counselors in private practice or community settings. It is important for patients to find a therapist, counselor, or social worker with whom they feel comfortable. Patients are expected to be open and honest during PCIT, and are less likely to speak openly when they feel uncomfortable.

Bibliography

“About PCIT,” UC Davis Children’s Hospital, 2019, pcit.ucdavis.edu/about-us/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

“Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,” Mayo Clinic, 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cognitive-behavioral-therapy/about/pac-20384610. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

“History of PCIT,” UCD Davis Children’s Hospital, 2019, pcit.ucdavis.edu/about-us/history-of-pcit/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

“Marriage and Family Therapy,” Psychology Today, 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/marriage-and-family-therapy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

“Parent-Child Interaction Therapy,” NCTSN, www.nctsn.org/interventions/parent-child-interaction-therapy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

“Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT),” CEBC, 2017, www.cebc4cw.org/program/parent-child-interaction-therapy/detailed. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

“Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT),” Psychology Today, 2019, www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/parent-child-interaction-therapy-pcit. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.

Rauch, Joseph. “What is Therapy? Complete Definition of Psychotherapy,” Talkspace, 19 May, 2016, www.talkspace.com/blog/what-is-therapy-the-complete-definition-of-psychotherapy/. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.