Trauma-Informed Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A Dyadic Treatment for Children and Their Caregivers
Presenters: Dawna Gabowitz, Ph.D. & Kristina Konnath, LICSW
Dates: October, 2008 (3 days, TBD); November, 2008 (2 days, TBD); 5 days total
Cost: $780.00; includes training and all course materials
Location: Boston, MA; location TBD
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, where she has worked with children and families since 2003, providing individual and family therapy, trauma and secual abuse evaluations, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She currently co-coordinates the Pathways to Permanency Program, providing specialized services for foster, kinship, and adoptive 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’s professional experience includes working with youth in a residential treatment facility, developing curricula and training material, and providing local and national training and consultation around the effects of violence and trauma in the lives of children and families. Kristina received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College in 2001.
