What to Expect
During coaching sessions I will observe you and your child play together while coaching you through use of your phone and video device. I will coach you to practice skills like giving positive attention, providing effective instructions, and managing difficult behaviors in a calm and consistent way.
How long does PCIT take?
Most families need 12-20 coaching sessions to complete the treatment.
Although this is the expected length of treatment, we will have weekly sessions until you graduate from the program.
First you graduate in the CDI phase and then in the PDI phase.
Will my child be directly involved in therapy?
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Yes, your child will be involved in every coaching session.
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There will be two teach sessions in which your child will not be present.
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These sessions are held to teach caregivers the skills we will focus on in each phase of treatment.
How does PCIT help?
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PCIT helps by providing parents with consistent ways of reinforcing positive behaviors while ignoring negative attention-seeking behaviors.
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It also helps by providing parents with a specific script and response for when their child is not following instructions.
Two Treatment Phases
Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
The first phase is called Child-Directed Interaction (CDI). CDI is focused on increasing warmth in your relationship with your child and sets the foundation for the second phase. Parents learn to become expert reinforcers, by providing high levels of attention and enthusiasm to desired behaviors. We also work on identifying appropriate situations and ways of ignoring mild disruptive or inappropriate behaviors. After you master CDI skills, we will move on to the second phase.
Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)
The second phase is called Parent Directed Interaction (PDI). In this phase we build on the skills learned in CDI and focus on teaching your child to follow instructions and engage in more positive behaviors. We start by practicing PDI skills and obeying during our coaching sessions only at first. Then we gradually introduce the skills in your home setting. I will be there with you through every step during live coaching, ensuring we end with success.
An Overview of PCIT Sessions
1
Check-In
At the beginning of each coaching session we will briefly check in about your child's behavior over the week and your engagement in homework practice. We will review homework sheets and discuss any questions that came up for you. Your child will be present for the check in and will learn to self-entertain with toys and refrain from interrupting during check-ins.
2
Coding & Coaching
Coding
Once we transition to "Special Time," I will code, or tally, how much you are using each of the skills we are practicing in a given phase.
Coaching
After coding, I will provide you with brief feedback and set the coaching goals for the session. I will then spend the remainder of this time coaching you on areas that need improvement, while you play with your child.
3
Check-Out
Feedback
After coaching I will provide additional feedback, emphasizing the areas you are excelling in. I will also share any observations I am making about changes in your child's behavior or their relationship with you.
Homework
Last, we will discuss which skills to focus on during home practice this week. Home practice is where the real change occurs and is vital to the PCIT process!