Introduction
Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an effective intervention for treatement of young children (2-7 y.o.).
Important elements
It involves 1) play therapy to facilitate healthy attachment, and 2) parents training behavioral therapy.
Evidence
In a randomized trial of 110 abusive parents with median 850-day follow-up, PCIT-treated families had a reduction in physical abuse reports (19% re-reported) vs. 49% of parents who received standard parenting group. (1)
References
1. Chaffin, Mark; wt.al. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy With Physically Abusive Parents: Efficacy for Reducing Future Abuse Reports. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, Vol 72(3), Jun 2004, 500-510
2. Eyberg, Sheila M. et.al. Parent-child interaction therapy: A psychosocial model for the treatment of young children with conduct problem behavior and their families. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, Vol 31(1), 1995, 83-91