Utilizing Evidence-Based Practices to Manage Disruptive Behaviors in Children: Using Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Dr. Emily presented this training on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), opening with why it matters: disruptive behavior is the most common reason children are referred to mental health providers (Kazdin & Weisz, 2017), with real costs to friendships, family relationships, academic achievement, and everyday functioning. PCIT is a well-researched, manualized treatment built to interrupt that pattern.

The training covered what makes PCIT effective, why it works by strengthening the parent-child relationship rather than targeting behavior in isolation, and how to bring its evidence-based strategies directly into therapy sessions.

Dr. Emily initially presented this training November 2022, and was invited to present it again in October 2023.

Key Takeaways from the training

• Disruptive behavior is the most common reason kids are referred for mental health care. – Per Kazdin & Weisz (2017), cited directly in the training.

• PCIT is well-researched and manualized, not a loose framework. – That's part of why it's considered effective for managing behavior concerns.

• The relationship is the mechanism. – PCIT works by strengthening the parent-child bond, with reduced disruptive behavior as the result.