Robin Gurwitch Recorded Webinar: Military Families and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (DOES NOT OFFER CE CREDIT)

Original Air Date: March 25, 2016

Abstract

Approximately two million children have been impacted by parental deployments associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The majority of these children are under the age of eight years yet few intervention services are available for the young child. The Department of Defense Task Force on Mental Health stated, “The system of care of psychological health that has evolved over recent decades is insufficient to meet the needs of today’s forces and their beneficiaries and will not be sufficient to meet their needs in the future.” As EBTs are adapted, it is essential to maintain fidelity to treatment models to determine if outcomes seen in civilian populations can be replicated. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is one evidenced-based practice that is currently being adapted to address the gap in serving military families with very young children. The webinar will review the stressors common in military families at all phases of development and will summarize current research on the impact of deployment on young children and families. The presentation will give a brief overview Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and how it is being adapted for military families. Findings from a small pilot study with Army families will be shared. The webinar will conclude with current efforts to disseminate PCIT for use with military families and suggested next steps to better serve those who have given so much.