B7

PCIT AS TREATMENT FOR TRAUMA

Presenters: Anthony Urquiza

Abstract Category: Mental Health

Instruction Level: Intermediate

Presentation: Not Provided

Description:      

Description of specific PCIT program modifications to address trauma symptom reduction with young children (knowledge of PCIT is necessary).

Abstract: 

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an intensive parent treatment program, developed to assist parents whose children have severe behavioral problems. PCIT has been identified as an evidence-based practice–applicable to high-risk and abusive parent-child dyads. Elements of PCIT also appear to be effective in addressing trauma symptom reduction for very young children (ages 2-6 years).

Specific attention will be provided to describing a theoretical framework for understanding the development of young children’s responses to trauma, affective regulation, the development of child coping resources, and the role of the parent-child relationship in these processes.

The focus of this presentation will include a very brief overview of PCIT (prior knowledge of PCIT is necessary), then a more extensive description of specific program modifications which reduce young child trauma symptom reduction, including:

1) enhancing the quality of the relationship between parent and child,
2) assisting parent with managing distressing affect,
3) managing child affective dysregulation,
4) managing child disruptive behavior, and
5) development of appropriate child coping resources.

Finally, videotaped description  these strategies will be used to demonstrate these program modifications.