A recent study from Central Michigan University suggests parent-child interaction therapy training creates a stronger bond between parents and children.
According to the study, parents who undergo interaction therapy training demonstrate better parenting skills and experience fewer behavior problems in their children than those who do not receive the training.
Dr. Larissa Niec, director of CMU’s Center for Children, Families, and Communities, said parent-child interaction therapy is innovative in that it incorporates in-person coaching.
“Historically, working with parents, we often meet with parents, talk about trying things differently and then send folks home and say ‘go try this at home,’” Niec said, “But that’s a real difficult thing to do when you’ve never used particular skills before.”
She said PTIC is a powerful tool for parents.
“We have parents in the room with their child interacting in real-life situations, and we as therapists coach parents through those interactions to help them develop new ways of interacting that can help with their child's behavioral problems.”
Previous studies involved children from ages two to seven, according to Niec. She said this study involved children two and under.