Parent Services
Our therapists often include caregivers in order to support children in the context of their surrounding systems. The roles of parents, siblings, and other caregivers are integral, and most treatment plans include a certain amount of family involvement. We may recommend initial, periodic, or exclusive parent-only visits for younger children and/or youth with complex histories. We can offer reading and resource recommendations to support learning and involvement even when parents aren't directly included in session. Family involvement is required for adolescents participating in our intensive services.
Specific parenting support options include:
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Dr. Sarah Koenig, a certified provider of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), offers and oversees PCIT services for families struggling with childhood anxiety, disruptive behavior, and other challenges. Developed for young children (2 to 7) with disruptive behavioral challenges, effective treatment adaptations are available for treating childhood anxiety, toddlers, and older school-age children.
PCIT FAQS
How is PCIT structured?
Due to the unpredictability of our current public health circumstances, we currently offer internet-based PCIT (iPCIT). Fortunately, research shows that the gains are as good or better when compared to in-office PCIT. Therapy is provided with the parent and child in their natural environment, with real-time therapeutic feedback and support. Parents wear wireless (or wired) headphones while receiving discreet coaching during the structured child play treatment sections.
How long does PCIT last?
Treatment can be completed in little as 12-15 weeks, depending on parents' ease with learning the skills and practicing them outside of sessions.
How do we start the process?
After your initial phone call with our clinical coordinator, one of our therapists will complete an intake to determine whether PCIT is the recommended treatment for the concerns that are bringing you into our clinic. If PCIT is recommended, there will be an additional assessment session as part of the PCIT program called the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) observation, which will last 45-50 minutes if there is one caregiver and 60 minutes if two caregivers are present.
What materials do I need for this for the DPICS assessment and iPCIT?
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Stable internet connection with acceptable upload and download speed for Simple Practice videoconferencing (10 Mbps upload, 10 Mbps download, <300 ms latency).
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Computer or smartphone with video capability
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Toys (list of appropriate toys to be provided)
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Charged wireless headphones
Who provides PCIT at COAP?
Current lead therapist, Dr. Sarah Koenig, is certified by PCIT International and is training other therapists in the clinic as they work toward certification. Most of our current cases will be treated in a co-therapy model (two therapists for the price of one!)
Where can I learn more about PCIT?
http://www.pcit.org/for-parents.html
Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions
Dr. Ginny Fullerton offers Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE), a parent-focused treatment for children with anxiety or OCD with efficacy demonstrated in research trials. Although the child is the identified patient, parents participate in SPACE without the child present. Individual assessment and therapy with the child may be offered alongside SPACE, afterward, or not at all. SPACE is an active, time-limited intervention with with results as strong as CBT- the gold standard for treating anxiety and OCD. To learn more about SPACE and connected resources, visit: www.spacetreatment.net.