Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for Maltreated Children

Abstract

This chapter describes how Parent-child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence based treatment for children with demonstrated value in decreasing child behavior problems, improving parenting skills, and enhancing parent-child relationships disruptive behaviors, can be used to treat maltreated children. This chapter provides an overview of PCIT, examples of the process of ‘coaching,’ and a description of progress toward treatment success. Specific attention is given to describing evidence supporting PCIT. Finally, a case is presented that documents the progression of a maltreated child in PCIT, including pre-treatment assessment, treatment didactics, parent coaching, achievement of treatment mastery, and generalization of positive client outcomes. The value of PCIT as a mental health treatment for abusive and high-risk families is described.