Family Services

Parent-Child Interaction Training (PCIT)

This training model is for parents who desire to have greater skills in dealing with the behaviors of their young child. It is designed to assist parents and their children from 3-7 years of age. PCIT is an interactive, hands-on model that utilizes technology to enhance the skills of both parents and children. The interaction between a parent and their child is video taped while a coach assists the parent behind a one-way mirror. The coaching provided to the parent is useful in developing positive parenting skills.

Parent-Child Interactive Therapy (PCIT) is a research based, best practice treatment for parents whose children, as a result of sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse, have serious behavior problems. PCIT provides structured, supportive education that focuses on improving the parent's communication, play and discipline skills. The goals of treatment are:

  1. improve and enhance the relationship between the parent and child
  2. decrease the child's behavior problems through positive discipline
  3. increase the skill levels and abilities of the parent
  4. decrease the stress of the parent, which allows the parent to provide support and nurturance to the child.

PCIT combines one-on-one "coaching" for parents by a trained PCIT provider using structured child-parent play activities. The coach uses a two-way mirror to observe and provide continual, real-time feedback, directions and encouragement through a discreet radio receiver that the parent wears behind her/his ear. The program is mastery-based; in 12 to 20 weekly sessions, parents practice specific play, communication, and discipline skills, with the help of the coach.

Similar programs in Washington state that offer PCIT include Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress (HCSATS), Children's Response Center (CRC), and Auburn Youth Resources (AYR). Keri Newport, KCSARC's Family Services Manager, provides PCIT Coach training and consultation to many agencies across the state. KCSARC provides PCIT free of charge to families. We also provide PCIT and PCIT Coach Training in Spanish.

Next Training Opportunity

Please contact Keri Newport at 425.282.0338 or email Keri.

Parent Enhancement Program

One-on-one education program tailored to meet the needs of individual families. KCSARC determines, with the family, which modules are most appropriate for the parent or parents to receive. Modules include:

  • Sexual Abuse: The impact on child victims, non-offending parents, and families
  • Sex Offenders: Understanding their strategies, motivation and persistence
  • Coping Strategies: Positive and negative strategies and what to do about them
  • Attachment: Issues related to sexual assault
  • Discipline:
    • After sexual abuse
    • Rebuilding a positive parent-child relationship
    • Understanding child development
    • Positive discipline strategies
  • Working with Systems: DCFS, Law Enforcement, Family Court, CASA, GAL, Prosecuting and Defense Attorneys
  • Internet: Child victimization, predators, safety tips, monitoring and/or limiting use of the internet at home
  • Perpetrator Prevention: Appropriate for -
    • Anticipated reunification between juvenile offender and victim(s)
    • When a known sex-offender lives in the home
    • Visitation ordered between offenders and children
    • Parents and/or family members of sex offenders
    • Adolescents

For more information, please contact Keri Newport at 425.282.0338 or email Keri.