Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Helps Children and Parents Thrive

By Marie Preftes-Arenz

Rochelle lost custody of her two children when they were four and five years old. Realizing that she didn’t want to go through life without them, she quickly started working on her goals with her social worker. She found gainful employment, subsidized housing and worked toward making a positive home environment. After two years, her children were returned home to her.

Rochelle began PCIT soon after being reunified with her children. She had several obstacles to face in parenting. First, the children had been placed in separate foster homes, so not only was Rochelle getting used to being a full-time mom again, but the children were getting used to being full-time siblings again. Both children also had behavior management issues and were placed on IEPs at school for learning disabilities. Rochelle, herself, had been diagnosed with a cognitive disability that makes retaining information a difficult task.

Rochelle and her children were referred to Deaconess to help manage all of these challenges and to strengthen their family bonds. Initially, Rochelle struggled mastering some of the PCIT skills, due to her quiet disposition. On the other hand, Rochelle is also a reactive, authoritative parent and would respond quickly to her children’s loud pleas for help, frustration and tantrums. Faithfully, Rochelle practiced her skills. She was surprised to see the fruits of her labor and how her children reacted to her praise, reflections and descriptions during special play time. Even more important, she had learned how to prevent misbehavior, such as, meltdowns, from happening by learning how to have more fun playing with her children and being more proactive and preempting tantrums with positive commands.

By the end of the PCIT process, which is usually between 16 and 20 sessions, parents see notable changes in their children and with themselves. Rochelle watched the tape of her initial play session and was amazed at how quiet she was while interacting with her daughter. She compared this tape with her last session, so she could see first-hand how much she has grown in developing positive parenting skills, self-confidence and, most importantly, how the relationship with her children had blossomed. A smile beamed across her face as she said, “Now, my children have a safe and stable home, but I am also helping them build their self-esteem and I see how their confidence has grown as well!” Positive parenting skills are linked to the healthy growth and development of children. As a preventative measure, it is directly correlated to school drop out prevention and crime prevention. Now, one more child is safe, supported and has a chance to thrive in school and in life.