Does Online PCIT work?
Yes! Research shows that virtual PCIT is equally as effective as in-person PCIT when the treatment protocol is followed. Some worry about their child having a negative reaction to participating online, but because PCIT is for parents, the child doesn't need to engage with the computer or technology- they just play with their parent near a device with a camera. For shy children, the playback screen can be hidden or they may sit so that their face is off camera.
Many parents prefer virtual PCIT sessions over in-person sessions because it eliminates travel time to/from an office setting, makes child care easier for other kids in the home, and can allow the other parent to join in from a remote location to learn by observation. Many also enjoy virtual sessions due to the comfort of working in their own space (less germs from shared toys at a clinic; control of temperature, lighting, etc.; less worries if there are toileting accidents with young kids; etc.). Some families have even chosen to do an online session while on vacation so they don't miss a week!
One of the most significant benefits of virtual PCIT is that services are provided in your home, where you're most likely to face "real-life" challenges, such as: cooperative play with siblings, playing gently with pets, homework completion, meal times, getting dressed, teeth brushing, etc. Once you've mastered the basic techniques, Leslie can strategize with you about how to use specific skills in each of these situations, recreate those typical challenges within your session, and then coach you through the use of those techniques with your child in the moment.
I’ve read lots of books and tried many techniques. What makes PCIT different?
Live-coaching through an ear-bud allows Leslie to intervene directly in the moment and provide you with immediate support, feedback, and rationale. Treatment is tailored to the specific needs of you and your child based on a thorough assessment. PCIT is a successful treatment that is strongly supported by decades of research. Outcome studies have proven PCIT (and Virtual PCIT) to help parents learn more effective parenting techniques, decrease children's behavior problems, and improve the quality of parent-child relationships. Once parents master the therapeutic skills, they can include other children in their home, and can use these techniques as their children mature through different stages of life.
What if my child doesn’t misbehave during the therapy sessions?
It can be helpful if your child doesn't misbehave much during our initial sessions. This can help you practice more of the preventative skills in a lower-stress environment, and also provides opportunities for your child to feel good about themselves and their relationship with you. In the initial phase of PCIT, significant therapeutic progress is accomplished without directly challenging your child's negative behaviors.
After a few sessions children generally tend to relax and act more natural, allowing the opportunity for us to address some of their negative behaviors. In the second phase of treatment, coaching directly addresses any remaining behavioral issues with targeted strategies for giving effective commands and following through with appropriate consequences. If helpful, problematic situations (meal times, morning/bedtime routines, competitive game play, etc.) can be recreated in our sessions to give you the opportunity to successfully address those issues while I'm virtually by your side.
My child has the problem, why do I need to participate in treatment?
You are the most influential person in your young child’s life! By making subtle shifts in how you interact with and respond to your child, you can successfully increase their positive behaviors and minimize or eliminate problematic behaviors. Virtual PCIT provides you with evidence-based tools and helps you establish a game plan to effectively manage your child's day-to-day challenges. The PCIT skills are easily adapted to other children in your home and to a variety of behaviors, so you will be able to use these techniques as your children grow into new developmental phases.
Can more than one parent or caregiver participate in PCIT?
Yes! This is the most ideal situation. The more consistently all caregivers use the skills with your child, the more quickly behaviors can change. Additionally, many parents find it helpful to participate in PCIT together so they can support each other in learning and using the therapeutic skills. Many parents report that PCIT has brought them closer together by "getting on the same page" with a unified approach to parenting. In families where parents reside in separate homes, the participation of each parent (in separate sessions) can help modify behaviors more quickly and reduce parenting inconsistencies between homes. It should be noted that PCIT is not a substitute for co-parenting classes.
I have more than one difficult child, can both participate?
PCIT sessions typically focus on one child at the onset of treatment; however as treatment progresses, your other child may be incorporated into sessions as needed. The goal of treatment is for parents to eventually use the PCIT techniques naturally, throughout the day, with all children in the home. Including other family members in sessions is a part of this generalization process.
Do I have to commit to the full course of treatment?
Families are free to end treatment, or take a break, at any time. However, families that master both phases of PCIT report more long-term gains and reduced behavioral relapses. Treatment progress is heavily determined by parent participation. Research has proven that the more a parent practices the specific PCIT skills with their child, the faster the child's behaviors improve. Treatment goals and therapeutic gains are assessed at every session and any barriers to progress are promptly and directly addressed. If it is determined that PCIT is not the best fit for your family's needs, appropriate referrals and treatment recommendations will be provided.
PCIT FAQ Developed by Leslie (Whitten) Baughman, LMFT All Rights Reserved
Yes! Research shows that virtual PCIT is equally as effective as in-person PCIT when the treatment protocol is followed. Some worry about their child having a negative reaction to participating online, but because PCIT is for parents, the child doesn't need to engage with the computer or technology- they just play with their parent near a device with a camera. For shy children, the playback screen can be hidden or they may sit so that their face is off camera.
Many parents prefer virtual PCIT sessions over in-person sessions because it eliminates travel time to/from an office setting, makes child care easier for other kids in the home, and can allow the other parent to join in from a remote location to learn by observation. Many also enjoy virtual sessions due to the comfort of working in their own space (less germs from shared toys at a clinic; control of temperature, lighting, etc.; less worries if there are toileting accidents with young kids; etc.). Some families have even chosen to do an online session while on vacation so they don't miss a week!
One of the most significant benefits of virtual PCIT is that services are provided in your home, where you're most likely to face "real-life" challenges, such as: cooperative play with siblings, playing gently with pets, homework completion, meal times, getting dressed, teeth brushing, etc. Once you've mastered the basic techniques, Leslie can strategize with you about how to use specific skills in each of these situations, recreate those typical challenges within your session, and then coach you through the use of those techniques with your child in the moment.
I’ve read lots of books and tried many techniques. What makes PCIT different?
Live-coaching through an ear-bud allows Leslie to intervene directly in the moment and provide you with immediate support, feedback, and rationale. Treatment is tailored to the specific needs of you and your child based on a thorough assessment. PCIT is a successful treatment that is strongly supported by decades of research. Outcome studies have proven PCIT (and Virtual PCIT) to help parents learn more effective parenting techniques, decrease children's behavior problems, and improve the quality of parent-child relationships. Once parents master the therapeutic skills, they can include other children in their home, and can use these techniques as their children mature through different stages of life.
What if my child doesn’t misbehave during the therapy sessions?
It can be helpful if your child doesn't misbehave much during our initial sessions. This can help you practice more of the preventative skills in a lower-stress environment, and also provides opportunities for your child to feel good about themselves and their relationship with you. In the initial phase of PCIT, significant therapeutic progress is accomplished without directly challenging your child's negative behaviors.
After a few sessions children generally tend to relax and act more natural, allowing the opportunity for us to address some of their negative behaviors. In the second phase of treatment, coaching directly addresses any remaining behavioral issues with targeted strategies for giving effective commands and following through with appropriate consequences. If helpful, problematic situations (meal times, morning/bedtime routines, competitive game play, etc.) can be recreated in our sessions to give you the opportunity to successfully address those issues while I'm virtually by your side.
My child has the problem, why do I need to participate in treatment?
You are the most influential person in your young child’s life! By making subtle shifts in how you interact with and respond to your child, you can successfully increase their positive behaviors and minimize or eliminate problematic behaviors. Virtual PCIT provides you with evidence-based tools and helps you establish a game plan to effectively manage your child's day-to-day challenges. The PCIT skills are easily adapted to other children in your home and to a variety of behaviors, so you will be able to use these techniques as your children grow into new developmental phases.
Can more than one parent or caregiver participate in PCIT?
Yes! This is the most ideal situation. The more consistently all caregivers use the skills with your child, the more quickly behaviors can change. Additionally, many parents find it helpful to participate in PCIT together so they can support each other in learning and using the therapeutic skills. Many parents report that PCIT has brought them closer together by "getting on the same page" with a unified approach to parenting. In families where parents reside in separate homes, the participation of each parent (in separate sessions) can help modify behaviors more quickly and reduce parenting inconsistencies between homes. It should be noted that PCIT is not a substitute for co-parenting classes.
I have more than one difficult child, can both participate?
PCIT sessions typically focus on one child at the onset of treatment; however as treatment progresses, your other child may be incorporated into sessions as needed. The goal of treatment is for parents to eventually use the PCIT techniques naturally, throughout the day, with all children in the home. Including other family members in sessions is a part of this generalization process.
Do I have to commit to the full course of treatment?
Families are free to end treatment, or take a break, at any time. However, families that master both phases of PCIT report more long-term gains and reduced behavioral relapses. Treatment progress is heavily determined by parent participation. Research has proven that the more a parent practices the specific PCIT skills with their child, the faster the child's behaviors improve. Treatment goals and therapeutic gains are assessed at every session and any barriers to progress are promptly and directly addressed. If it is determined that PCIT is not the best fit for your family's needs, appropriate referrals and treatment recommendations will be provided.
PCIT FAQ Developed by Leslie (Whitten) Baughman, LMFT All Rights Reserved