How does parent-child interaction therapy work? And who can use it?

Parent-child interaction therapy puts a therapist behind a one-way mirror, coaching parents through an earpiece as they play with their child. The Conversation reports that the approach teaches parents to use positive attention strategically and set clear boundaries while remaining warm and responsive. Originally developed in the nineteen seventies and used in parts of Australia for around twenty years, the therapy has shown benefits for children with behavioral and emotional challenges while also reducing parents' stress and boosting their confidence. The time commitment is substantial—fourteen to sixteen weeks typically—but research indicates that sustained practice leads to more lasting improvements in children's behavior.

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