Adaptations of Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Deaf Families

The mental health field recognizes the importance of utilizing evidence-based treatments when serving individuals and families. One specific psychological treatment, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), has been designated as an evidence-based treatment for young children with disruptive behaviors.

While our field is making significant strides in providing evidence to support its treatments, the evidence is often gathered at the exclusion of minority populations. This is particularly true for deaf people, given the unique communication needs and cultural knowledge required to adapt treatments to be accessible to this population.

Since fall 2014, Dr. Day has been studying how to effectively adapt PCIT for families with one or more deaf members and who communicate via American Sign Language. This research project has now expanded into a clinical and research training clinic where she provides accessible PCIT services for local deaf families.

The project provides formal training in PCIT Therapist Certification to advanced graduate students, allows for graduate and undergraduate student involvement in research, and provides clinical consultation to therapists across the country who are providing PCIT to deaf individuals.