Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Understanding the Need for a Supplemental Trauma Component

Guidry, Kelly Sue

Publication

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Understanding the Need for a Supplemental Trauma Component

Guidry, Kelly Sue

Date

2020

Abstract

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has been endorsed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network as a trauma-informed approach despite lacking trauma components in the standard PCIT protocol. The current study examined the perceptions of certified PCIT therapists regarding the need for a supplemental trauma-based module to be created for the PCIT community. This study sought to understand what information would benefit a supplemental trauma-based module and how this information would best be disseminated to families participating in PCIT. The researcher used results of 130 surveys from U.S.-based PCIT therapists. Certified PCIT therapists strongly endorsed (n = 128, 79.67%) the necessity of a supplemental trauma-based module. Additionally, certified PCIT therapists are seeking more structured guidance for the inclusion of psychoeducation and adjustments to coaching practices when applying the approach to a trauma population. Finally, certified PCIT therapists believe trauma information should be included before the start of PCIT or interweaved throughout the protocol. Clinical implications and inferences for future research are discussed.