Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
CfC FP Objective | Supporting families and parents |
Delivered to | Children aged 15 months to 7 years identified as at risk of maltreatment, or self-identified because of severe behavioural problems, and their parents. |
Delivered by | Licensed mental health service providers (e.g. psychologists, family therapists, social workers etc.) with a master's degree or higher in a mental health field. Under some circumstances psychology doctoral students can deliver the program. Check the program website for more information. |
Delivery setting | Community-based |
Program developer | Karitane Australia, Parent Child Interaction Therapy Inc |
About the program
PCIT is a cognitive behavioural intervention that aims to decrease behavioural problems, increase positive parent behaviours and improve the quality of the parent-child relationship.
Program structure
PCIT is a mastery-based program that is generally delivered by a qualified psychologist/therapist via weekly 1-hour sessions for approximately 14 weeks.
The program can be delivered through in-room coaching or by using a one-way mirror and headphones (this may incur additional costs). For more information about the requirements for delivering PCIT contact Karitane Toddler Clinic or visit the PCIT website.
Facilitator training
Practitioners must undergo a:
- 5-day training course (and gain 40 hours of practical experience)
- follow-up 2-day training course.
As part of the training, practitioners will also need to complete an online quiz. Both training courses include clinical supervision for 6 months.
For certification, applicants must complete the Certified PCIT Therapist Application Form and an online exam. This will be submitted with evidence of completed training and supervision from a Karitane PCIT Level II trainer. More information can be found at www.pcit.org.
In Australia, training is offered once a year by Karitane Australia. Contact Karitane for further details about training, or visit the Karitane website.
Cost
The cost is $5480 which includes:
- 5-day training course
- 2 follow-up training days
- 12 months of fortnightly supervision.
Evaluation and effectiveness
The program has undergone 3 randomised controlled trials in the United States. The most recent found improvements in child behaviour, parental behaviour and statistically significant improvements made in parent report of child problems, and parental stress. Participants who completed treatment were less likely to be notified to child protection compared to control group.
References
Thomas, R., Zimmer-Gembeck, MJ. (2011). Accumulating evidence for parent child interaction therapy in prevention of child maltreatment. Child Development, 82(1), 177-192.
Contact
Principal consultant: Sue Morgan, Manager Karitane Toddler Clinic
Phone: (02) 9794 2300
Email: [email protected]
Website: karitane.com.au/professional-courses