What ages does Center for CBT treat for behavior problems?​

We utilize Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to treat kids aged 2-6 with disruptive behavior disorders and Parent Management Training (PMT) for kids aged 7-18 with behavior problems.  These are the most effective, evidence-based treatments for disruptive behavior disorders.

​

What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)?

Having a child with behavior problems immensely impacts the entire family dynamic.  It can add tremendous tension to the parents' marriage, incite a host of unfavorable sibling reactions, and make it difficult to have a high quality relationship with your child when times together often end in tears or tantrums.  Waking up every day becomes a stressful experience because you just don't know what kind of hardships that day will hold. 

​

As difficult as it is to be going through this kind of hardship, there are extremely effective behavioral treatments that can greatly improve behaviors and shift the entire family dynamic. As nationally certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) providers, our clinicians are deeply passionate about helping families struggling with their children's behavior problems (tantrums, oppositionality, defiance, aggression).  PCIT is a short-term, specialized behavior management program designed for children experiencing behavioral and/or emotional difficulties. Treatment focuses on teaching caregivers powerful tools to reduce their children’s difficult behaviors and reduce parental stress.  It is an exceptionally effective treatment backed by over 30 years of research. One of the main ingredients in the "secret sauce" that makes PCIT so powerful is the live coaching: in each session, the therapist observes the caregiver practicing PCIT tools with the child while providing live, in-the-moment feedback that allows parents to rapidly master the skills that will improve their child's behavior. 

​

What is Parent Management Training (PMT)?

Parent management training (PMT) is an evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents with behavioral concerns (ages 7-18). PMT is considered the most well-established treatment for behavioral concerns and research shows it can decrease aggression and defiance in children and adolescents. Similarly to PCIT, PMT is an evidence-based behavioral management program in which caregivers are taught effective skills to reduce their children's difficult behaviors. The treatment includes psychoeducation and application of behavioral strategies to address problematic behaviors and reinforce desired behaviors. The parent and/or guardian can expect to meet with the therapist, without the child present (although sometimes, the child may be asked to participate in sessions). In sessions, the therapist will teach and model skills, review progress, adjust strategies, and provide additional support. The therapist will help the family practice the strategies through role-playing in sessions and after each session, parents will go home and hone the skills with their child.