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PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy)
PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy) has over 30 years of extensive research in successfully treating a wide spectrum of behavioral issues in children between 2-7 years of age. PCIT works with the child and their parent/caregivers together to improve overall behavior and to make the parent-child relationship more fulfilling. The principles of PCIT are based on Diana Baumrind's research on parenting styles versus child outcomes. It draws on both attachment and social learning theories to help facilitate an authoritative parenting style. This style emphasizes a child's need for a balance of nurturance and limit setting. It is a family intervention that focuses on coaching the parent to increase positive interactions with their children using a series of play therapy skills. I call these "super-sized positive parenting skills" as almost all the parents I work with already use positive reinforcement. However, because of the particular nature of their child's temperament or other situational factors, different parenting steps are needed to bring about positive change. PCIT WORKS WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS!
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Our sessions will include two phases of treatment. Each phase will have a teaching session at the beginning in which you will learn all the skills to use with your child during our sessions and in 5-minute homework special playtime. The first phase involves implementing play therapy positive reinforcement skills along with learning to master how to selectively give and remove your attention to decrease unwanted behaviors and increase desired ones. I refer to this process as 'shaping your kiddo like a little ball of clay'! In the second phase of treatment, I will coach you to use a set of skills to get your child to mind and listen right away. Discipline is also used to decrease unsafe and aggressive behaviors such as hitting (or any hurting behavior) or running away from the parent. I will be coaching you 'live-in-the-moment-" as behaviors occur. In certain situations it may be helpful to coach in the home of the child and, I offer this service as well. However, teaching sessions are in my office and coaching sessions are done via tele-health in most cases.
Families participating in PCIT usually meet with me weekly for approximately 12 weeks. I have been providing PCIT for over 10 years and received my training from Duke University (PCIT of the Carolinas collaborative). I completed advanced training from a PCIT International Master trainer to become rostered as a Level 1 PCIT trainer. I have provided PCIT at the Department of Mental Health, Dee Norton Lowcountry Children Center, Windwood Family Services, Carolina Youth Development Center (CYDC), and Charleston Counseling Center during my training years and subsequently throughout my practice.
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There have been numerous studies documenting the effectiveness of PCIT which can be accessed by visiting www.pcit.org/literature.
Parent Coaching for ADHD & Oppositional Behavior
There is no blanket method "One Size Fits All" method for parenting challenging kids. This is true if your kiddo is suffering with defiant, impulsive behaviors that feel unmanageable whether there is a diagnosis of ADHD or not. Kids and families with the most severe acting out behaviors are not going to respond to the same types of interventions. Certainly, there are proven effective methods, but they can be implemented in varying ways to meet a family's need. It is for this reason I began offering coaching to parents as a way to help sort through all the strategies and tailor a plan that works for your special situation. I have found that working with parents of kids with challenging behaviors is more effective than working with the child alone. This includes children between the ages of 8-12. I coach parents how to respond in the home. I will meet with parents and do a full assessment of the family interactions around the child. The next step involves developing a detailed behavior management plan together with the parent. It is a team approach, and I become the coach to support parents using the plan. I encourage families to reach out in between sessions if a problem occurs. (This is available for parent support). The subsequent sessions are tailored based on the effectiveness of the original plan. We problem solve, work through barriers, make adjustments and sometimes help parents move past their own emotional hurdles. The goals of the behavior management coaching are: 1. To improve parental management skills and competency. 2. Help parents gain more knowledge and understanding of their child's acting out behaviors. 3. Improve child's compliance. 4.Decrease frequency, intensity and duration of aggressive responses. 5.Improve emotional regulation of both the child and parents when helpful. I want to help reduce overall parental stress! **I am also able to meet with teachers when/if parents want this service.