Parent Child Interaction Therapy
TFI’s program, Grow Nurturing Families, utilizes an evidence-based Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) model. The goal of Grow Nurturing Families is to increase child social skills and cooperation and improve the parent-child attachment relationship. PCIT teaches parents traditional play therapy skills to use as social reinforcers of positive child behavior and traditional behavior management skills to decrease negative child behavior. Grow Nurturing Families is being offered through a Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) grant. Grow Nurturing Families is premised on the belief that all families have value and children belong with their parents.
- PCIT is a dyadic behavioral intervention for children (ages 2 – 7 years) and their parents or caregivers.
- Grow Nurturing Families will be delivered partially in-home and may include additional supportive services to help reduce barriers.
- Grow Nurturing Families will be offered in 24 different counties across the state of Kansas.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for families with young children. PCIT uses live coaching between the therapist and the caregiver to provide immediate, positive feedback on the parent’s skills. PCIT is delivered in two phases: Child Directed Interaction (CDI) and Parent Directed Interaction (PDI). CDI focuses on strengthening the positive parent-child relationship, while PDI focuses on changing ineffective parent-child interaction patterns.
Benefits: PCIT increases child social skills, and cooperation within the home, improves the parent-child attachment, and teaches positive parenting skills all through play!
Sessions: Therapy sessions are one hour per week with families also engaging in play with their child five minutes a day. Services last 14 to 20 weeks. Support workers will also engage with families once per week.
Families: Families who best fit with PCIT services have at least one child between 2 and 11 years of age, who may have a variety of emotional and behavioral issues, including:
- Physical and Verbal Aggression
- Hyperactivity/Inattention
- Destruction of Property
- Emotional Dysregulation
- Non-Compliance/Defiance
- Difficulties with attachment