Parent—Child Interaction Therapy with an Immigrant Family Exposed to Domestic Violence

Abstract

Parent—child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an empirically supported treatment to enhance the parent—child relationship and to help parents learn how to effectively manage disruptive behavior in young children. PCIT has been shown to be effective with various populations. However, few reports have documented its use with children exposed to domestic violence in families who have recently immigrated to the United States. A mother and 3-year-old child who immigrated to the United States from Africa were identified as an appropriate family for PCIT. The child had reportedly been exposed to domestic violence and presented with both internalizing and externalizing behaviors and symptoms. Specific challenges and successes related to this case are presented.