Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Encyclopedia
Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a form of psychotherapy
developed by Sheila Eyberg for children ages 2–7 and their caregivers. It uses a unique combination of behavioral therapy, play therapy
, and parent training to teach more effective discipline techniques and improve the parent–child relationship. PCIT evolved from Connie Hanf's two-stage operant model of parenting.
. Parents are taught a list of "dos" and "don'ts" to use while interacting with their child. They will use these skills during a daily play period called Special Time.
Likewise, PRIDE stands for the following:
Most PCIT therapists currently use PRIDE because DRIP is awkward and the "E" supports the value and importance of parental positive affective engagement in parent–child interactions.
These acronyms are reminders that parents should describe the actions of their child, reflect upon what their child says, imitate the play of their child, praise their child's positive actions, and remain enthusiastic throughout Special Time.
and behavioral therapy.
It can be used with maltreated children.
Research shows that skills learned in PCIT training sessions generalize to the home.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
developed by Sheila Eyberg for children ages 2–7 and their caregivers. It uses a unique combination of behavioral therapy, play therapy
Play therapy
Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3 through 11 and provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process...
, and parent training to teach more effective discipline techniques and improve the parent–child relationship. PCIT evolved from Connie Hanf's two-stage operant model of parenting.
Stages of PCIT
Although PCIT is divided into two stages, relationship development (child-directed interaction) and discipline training (parent-directed interaction), there are also three distinct assessment periods (pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment).Child-directed interaction
The child-directed interaction portion of PCIT aims to develop a loving and nurturing bond between the parent and child through a form of play therapyPlay therapy
Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3 through 11 and provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process...
. Parents are taught a list of "dos" and "don'ts" to use while interacting with their child. They will use these skills during a daily play period called Special Time.
DRIP/PRIDE skills
Parents are taught an acronym of skills to use during Special Time with their children. Although the acronym varies from therapist to therapist, it is generally either "DRIP" or "PRIDE." DRIP stands for the following:- D – Describe
- R – Reflect
- I – Imitate
- P – Praise
Likewise, PRIDE stands for the following:
- P – Praise
- R – Reflect
- I – Imitate
- D – Describe
- E – Enthusiasm
Most PCIT therapists currently use PRIDE because DRIP is awkward and the "E" supports the value and importance of parental positive affective engagement in parent–child interactions.
These acronyms are reminders that parents should describe the actions of their child, reflect upon what their child says, imitate the play of their child, praise their child's positive actions, and remain enthusiastic throughout Special Time.
Parent-directed interaction
The parent-directed interaction portion of PCIT aims to teach the parent more effective means of disciplining their child through a form of play therapyPlay therapy
Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3 through 11 and provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process...
and behavioral therapy.
It can be used with maltreated children.
Used
PCIT has been used with abusive families. PCIT has been used with oppositional children. Parent–child interaction therapy is a model that has demonstrated success with children with oppositional defiant disorder that has recently been applied to children with autism. Currently, a lot of research has been done on how PCIT can be used to keep difficult parenting populations in treatment.Research shows that skills learned in PCIT training sessions generalize to the home.