Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: 40-Hour Training Workshop and Train the Trainer Supervision

Dates TO BE ANNOUNCED Dept. of Psychology Life Sciences Building Morgantown, WV Dr. Cheryl B. McNeil West Virginia University Department of Psychology PO Box 6040 Morgantown, WV 26506-6040 304-293-1677

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Early intervention for children with severe behavior problems is a national priority. This workshop describes Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an intervention that has documented effectiveness for helping parents manage aggression and defiance in young children (2 to 7 years). PCIT is unique in that it is a short-term parent training approach that involves direct coaching of parent-child interactions. Parents receive immediate feedback in such areas as praising appropriate behavior, interacting at the child’s developmental level, ignoring inappropriate behavior, giving good instructions, and teaching children to stay in timeout. In PCIT, behavioral techniques are integrated with traditional play therapy skills to enhance parent-child relationships. This workshop will appeal to mental health professionals who work with physically abusive parents and/or preschoolers from various cultural backgrounds who are overactive, defiant, and aggressive.

Educational Objectives Videotape review, slides, handouts, observing/participating in clinical work with volunteer families, and experiential exercises will be used to address the following learning objectives:

 Mastering play therapy skills and coaching techniques for enhancing parent-child relationships

 Mastering discipline skills and coaching techniques, with particular emphasis on making timeout effective for aggressive preschoolers and physically abusive parents  Mastering coding skills to insure that parents are reaching the mastery criteria

 Participants working towards In-House Trainer status will be co-facilitating the workshop and receiving feedback on training strategies.

Level of Instruction The material will be presented at an intermediate level. Participants are expected to have basic understanding of the PCIT principles and goals (McNeil & Hembree- Kigin, 2010)). All participants are required to have at least a Master’s Degree and/or to be credentialed to provide therapy to children and families. Because each therapist will receive direct supervision, the workshop will be limited to approximately 8 therapists.

Preliminary Topics Coding Parent-Child Interactions

Play Therapy Didactic and Coaching

Discipline Program Didactic and Coaching

Play Therapy & Discipline Modifications for Older Children

Problem-Solving with Unusual Cases (e.g., Autism)

Use of PCIT with Physically Abusive Families

Coaching in the Home and in the Clinic Room

Ethical Considerations

About the Presenter Dr. Cheryl B. McNeil is a Professor of Psychology in the Clinical Child program at West Virginia University and a Master Trainer for PCIT International. Her clinical and research interests are focused on program development and evaluation, specifically with regard to abusive parenting practices and managing the disruptive behaviors of young children in both the home and school settings. Dr. McNeil has co-authored three books (e.g., Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Second Edition, Short-Term Play Therapy for Disruptive Children), a PCIT Training DVD for the American Psychological Association, and a classroom program (the Tough Class Discipline Kit). She also has published numerous journal articles on the efficacy of PCIT, as well as providing over 100 invited continuing education workshops in the United States and abroad.