PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION THERAPY (PCIT): THE EVIDENCE BASE AND APPLICATIONS TO NEW POPULATIONS

Abstract

Participants learn about parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment for preschoolers with disruptive behavior disorders, and its applications. First, PCIT aims to restructure the parent-child relationship, fostering a secure attachment between parent and child. Integrating social learning theories, the second treatment phase emphasizes the contingencies that shape the interactions of disruptive children and their parents. The success of PCIT in shaping parent-child interactions has also been leveraged to address additional clinical concerns including anxiety, trauma, and ASD, as well as disruptive behavior in toddlers and children up to age 10 years.