|
Parent-Child
Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an intensive treatment
program that is designed to help both parents and
children. PCIT works with parents and children together
to improve the quality of the parent-child relationship,
and to teach parents the skills necessary to manage
their child’s severe behavior problems.
The
PCIT intervention consists of two parts:
a
Relationship
Enhancement component and
a Discipline
component.
Within
the Relationship
Enhancement component, parents are
taught and ‘coached’ how to decrease the negative
aspects and increase positive and supportive
communication with their child.
In
the Discipline
component, parents are taught and ‘coached’ the
elements of effective child-management skills. In both
components of PCIT, parents are taught specific skills,
given the opportunity to practice these skills during
therapy, and to continue practicing skills until mastery
is achieved and the child’s behavior is improved.
| PCIT
is appropriate for children who: |
| • |
Are
between the ages of 2 and 8 years |
| • |
Exhibit
many of the following behavioral concerns: |
|
> |
Difficulty
in school, preschool, and/or daycare |
|
> |
Aggression
toward parents, siblings, and/or other children |
|
> |
Sassing
back to their parents |
|
> |
Refusing
to follow directions |
|
> |
Frequent
temper tantrums |
|
> |
Swearing |
|
> |
Defiance |
| • |
May
be on medication to manage their behavioral
problems |
| • |
Are
currently living with their parent (or will soon
be reunited) |
| • |
Are
currently in foster care (treatment can
be conducted with biological, foster, or
adoptive parents) |
Interface
Children Family Services is designated by UC Davis CAARE
(Child and Adolescent Abuse Resources and Evaluation
Diagnostic Center) since 2005 as a PCIT treatment and training
site, qualified to train its own PCIT therapists.
Services are available in Thousand Oaks and Camarillo -
in English and Spanish.
For
referral information, contact:
Interface
Children Family Services
Mental Health Intake & Assessment
Phone No: 805-485-6114, ext. 662
Fax: 805-278-4391
E-mail: interface@icfs.org
|
