PCIT & Behavioral Parent Training in Los Angeles
Parents and caregivers are the most important adults in a child’s life. While parenting is incredibly rewarding, it can also be challenging as well.
Behavioral parent training empowers you to learn skills that support and improve your child’s behavior and/or anxiety. Skills are taught in session and then practiced outside of therapy to promote progress. Families who consistently attend sessions and regularly practice the skills outside of sessions are generally more likely to improve at a faster rate.
Types of Behavioral Parent Training
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
PCIT was originally developed for children ages 2-7 with behavioral concerns (e.g., ADHD, temper tantrums, destructive and disruptive behaviors). More recently, PCIT has been adapted to be effective for children with anxiety and also older children ages 7-10 years of age. In PCIT, you receive live-in-the-moment coaching while interacting with your child. Through earbuds, you hear my live feedback and coaching on effective child management skills. PCIT is composed of two phases:
Relationship Enhancement - Parents learn and are coached in positive play skills that focus on improving warmth, communication, and helping children feel good about themselves.
For child behavioral concerns: Strategies for Compliance
Parents are taught and coached in discipline skills
For child anxiety concerns: Exposure
Parents are coached to guide their child through exposures to help them feel brave and manage anxiety.
Parent Management Training (PMT)
In PMT, parents primarily learn skills in session without their child present. Children may be invited to some sessions when appropriate. Skills are taught, modeled, and role-played so that parents are equipped to set limits and manage their child’s behavior.
I provide Behavioral Parent Training on its own or incorporate it with other CBT treatments, depending on each family’s concerns, needs, and goals. Thus, treatment is individualized for each child and family. Behavioral parent training may enhance other CBT treatments by helping parents encourage their child to apply skills in their daily lives.
A person displaying this mark has met the certification requirements established by PCIT International to provide PCIT.