Internet-delivered parent-child interaction therapy: Two clinical case reports

Background Disruptive child behaviours can be the start of a trajectory towards poor psychological outcomes across the lifespan. Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based intervention designed for treating disruptive behaviours in children aged 2-7 years. The program utilises live coaching during dyadic parent-child play sessions and preliminary evidence suggests that the program can be implemented using a video-teleconferencing format, thereby improving accessibility to families from rural and remote areas. Method Two case studies are reported of families living in rural Australia who participated in a pilot I-PCIT (Internet-delivered parent-child interaction therapy) program delivered from a community-based child treatment clinic. Results The case studies highlight the negative impacts of early childhood behavioural issues and the efficacy of the I-PCIT program in bringing about positive changes in child behaviour, parental skills and confidence, and the parent-child relationship. Conclusions Results highlight the potential of I-PCIT as a treatment option for families struggling with disruptive child behaviours living in rural and remote areas.