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Parent Child Interaction Therapy
Counseling4Kids has help for parents struggling with their young children’s behaviors! We are currently enrolling families into our new early intervention program for parents of young children, ages 2 ½ to 7, with behavioral problems. This program, called Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), will work with parents and children together to teach parents how to effectively reduce their child’s problem behaviors, including aggression, disobedience, defiance, and temper tantrums. PCIT is a proven treatment program that creates positive parent-child relationships while improving parenting skills. Through teaching parents about healthy attachment, effective discipline and child management skills, our PCIT program will help improve their child’s behavior. Research shows that as a result of PCIT, parents learn effective parenting techniques, the behavior problems of children decrease, and the quality of the parent-child relationship improves. PCIT has also been found to prevent child abuse and to strengthen at-risk families.
How Does PCIT Work?
Parents receive live coaching on parenting, communication and discipline skills while they interact with their children. While parents and children have “special play time,” a PCIT therapist is sitting behind a one-way mirror guiding the parent on what to say and do through an “ear bug” audio device. This live coaching and guidance teaches parents how to respond to their children’s behaviors in the moment. Parents will learn and practice skills such as giving praise to increase positive behaviors, setting limits on problem behaviors, and giving time outs. Families in the PCIT program are typically seen 1 time per week for 4 to 6 months, depending on the needs of the family. Weekly therapy sessions are usually between 45 to 60 minutes in length. All sessions take place in our Burbank office. All of our PCIT staff members are licensed therapists, experienced in working with children and families.
Who should be referred to the Counseling4Kids PCIT Program?
Families must meet the following criteria:
- Children must be between 2 ½ and 7 years old, with behavioral problems.
- Caregivers/parents must be long-term, including biological or adoptive parents, or permanent legal guardians.
- Parents/Caregivers must be committed to improving their relationship with their child.
- The child must have full-scope Medi-Cal, OR the family must be able to pay a sliding scale fee.
- The family must commit to come to the Burbank office for weekly sessions for approximately 5 months.
How to begin receiving PCIT services from Counseling4Kids
Contact our Burbank Office at 818-441-7800 and say you would like to make a referral to our PCIT program. Referrals can be made by the parents or caregiver, DCFS social worker, or Foster Family Agency social worker.
Download the PCIT Referral Form
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