title: Parent-child interaction therapy: a manualized intervention for the therapeutic child welfare sector.
abstract: Children who have experienced maltreatment can often display behavioral difficulties; their parents may lack disciplinary knowledge, be less sensitive to their children, and engage in coercive parenting practices. Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a well-known, evidence-based treatment (EBT) for child behavior problems and within the last decade has garnered significant evidence to suggest its utility for parents engaged in child maltreatment. This article uses a case example to describe PCIT treatment phases and PCIT research within the child maltreatment sector is synthesized with particular focus on treatment modifications. Successful augmentations and modifications include a motivation component, keeping therapeutic time shorter rather than longer, and whether to incorporate individual counseling and in-home PCIT are also considered. Practical strategies from both a therapeutic and research experience are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4229, Australia.
authors.forename: Rae
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Amy D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Herschell
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010989:Play Therapy; D012056:Reinforcement, Social
keywords: Child maltreatment; Evidence-based treatment; Parent–child interaction therapy