Trauma-Informed Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A Dyadic Treatment for Children and Their Caregivers

Date:
Session 1:
April 23, 2008, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
April 24, 2008, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
April 25, 2008, 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

Session 2:
May 19, 2008, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
May 20, 2008, 9:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

*Note: Participants must attend all training dates in order to receive credit for this course

Cost: $725.00; includes five days training + all course materials

Location: Family Justice Center of Boston, 989 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Helping children and their caregivers establish healthy, productive relationships can be one of the most challenging aspects of our job as clinicians. Traditional parent training, while helpful in imparting knowledge about parenting skills, does not always translate into creating healthier relationships between children and their caregivers. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), originally developed by Dr. Sheila Eyeberg of the University of Florida, is an empirically supported, short-term parent training intervention that focuses on improving the caregiver-child relationship and increasing children’s positive behaviors. It teaches caregivers (biological parents, foster parents, adoptive parents, etc) specific behavior management techniques as they play with their child. PCIT is unique to other forms of parent training as caregivers are coached live by the therapist while engaging in specific play therapy and discipline skills with their child. PCIT has been found to be a particularly effective treatment, backed by 20 years of research.

The Trauma-Informed Parent-Child Interaction training uses adaptations of PCIT that have been developed to meet the specific needs of traumatized children and their caregivers. This training is based on adaptations of PCIT developed by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Dr. Cheryl McNeil of West Virginia University. While PCIT was originally developed for children aged 2 to 7 and their caregivers, this training also addresses using PCIT with children aged 7-12, and utilizing this intervention with nonfamily caregivers such as residential treatment center staff, teachers, and others.

The Trauma-Informed PCIT training is now being offered through the Trauma Center’s Training Institute. This 5-day training is divided into two sessions separated by 3 – 4 weeks. Attendance at both sessions is required in order to successfully complete the training.

About the Presentors

Dawna Gabowitz, Ph.D, Associate Director of Clinical Services at the Trauma Center, Dr. Gabowitz received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology, with a focus in neuropsychology, from Suffolk University, and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at The Trauma Center. Since completing her training, Dr. Gabowitz has participated in research and clinical work primarily focused on chronic/complex childhood trauma and neuropsychological assessment, and has provided trainings on this subject. She has been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR, Level II), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC) treatment framework, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and mind-body techniques, working with dissociative parts.

Kristina Konnath, MSW, LICSW, is a clinician at the Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute, where she works with children and families providing individual and family therapy.  Kristina’s previous experience includes working at the National Center on Family Homelessness where she assisted in curricula and other material and presentation development as well as local and national training and consultation around the effects of violence and trauma in the lives of children and families.  Additionally, Kristina worked in a residential treatment facility providing individual, group and family therapy with children and their families.  Kristina is currently trained in the specific intervention strategies Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT).  Additionally, Kristina trains community-based providers in the implementation of PCIT and Child Adult Relationship Enhancement (CARE).  Kristina received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College in 2001.  Kristina continued her clinical training by completing the Trauma Certificate Program with the Trauma Center in 2003. 

Click here to read an article featured on nepsy.com about the Trauma Center's PCIT therapists.

References

Chaffin, M., Silovsky, J., Funderburk, B., Valle, L., Brestan, E., Balachova, T., Jackson, S., Lensgraf, J. & Bonner, B. (2004).  Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Physically Abusive Parents: Efficacy for reducing future abuse reports.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 3, 500-510.

Herschell, A., Calzada, E., Eyberg, S. & McNeil, C. (2002).  Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: New directions in research.  Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 9, 9-16.

Nemeroff, C. & Vale, W. (2005).  The neurobiology of depression: Inroads to treatment and new drug discovery.  Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 66, Supplement 7.

If you need a place to stay during the training, lodging is available at several nearby inns and hotels.

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