top of page
Child therapy services with an Oklahoma family.

Child & Family Therapy

Oklahoma Children's, we specialize in child and family therapy such as Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and feeding therapy. In fact, all of our therapists are Certified in PCIT and/or recognized Certified PCIT Global Trainers. More information on Parent Child Interaction Therapy and feeding therapy can be found below.

Parent Child
Interaction
Therapy

Feeding Therapy

Mom and son smiling as they complete Special Time in Parent Child Interaction Therapy.
PCIT

What is Parent Child Interaction Therapy?

Child ignoring her parent before PCIT therapy.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy - also known as PCIT - is a specialized treatment program designed for caregivers and their young children (2 to 7 years old) who are experiencing social, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties.

 

PCIT has been found to help children who have any of the following:

​

  • Frequent temper tantrums

  • Defiance - refusing to follow directions

  • Verbal and/or physical aggression

  • Destruction of toys and/or family belongings

  • Backtalk or sassing adults

  • Whining or crying for no apparent reason

  • Constantly seeking attention

  • Hyperactivity

  • Interrupting others

  • Short attention span

  • Difficulty with behaviors at school, preschool, and/or daycare

Deciding if PCIT is a Good Fit for your Family

Seeking therapy services for your child is a major decision. Families who participate in PCIT services often report the following during initial sessions:

​

  • Feeling overwhelmed by their child

  • Feeling frustrated or angry with their child

  • Feeling like their child is out of control

  • Feelings of embarrassment, especially in public places

  • Feeling lost because current behavior management strategies are not working

  • A desire to learn skills or tools to deal with behavior challenges

Mom and son laughing on the floor during PCIT.
Dad and daughter playing guitar during Special Time in PCIT therapy.

What are the Benefits of PCIT?

During the first phase of PCIT (Child-Directed Interaction), children are encouraged to lead a play activity while their caregivers observe and comment on their child’s positive behaviors (and ignore inappropriate behaviors). 

​

Benefits of the first phase of PCIT include:

  • Increased feelings of security, safety, and attachment with caregiver(s)

  • Increased attention span

  • Increased self-esteem

  • Increased pro-social behaviors (sharing, taking turns)

  • Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of tantrums

  • Decreased hyperactivity

  • Decreased negative attention-seeking behaviors (whining, bossiness)

  • Decreased caregiver frustration

 

In the second phase of PCIT (Parent-Directed Interaction), caregivers learn how to deliver clear, direct commands to reward child compliance, and utilize effective strategies for child noncompliance.  

 

Benefits of the second phase of PCIT include:

  • Increased compliance with caregiver requests

  • Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of aggressive behavior

  • Decreased frequency of destructive behavior

  • Improved behavior at home, and in public

  • Increased caregiver confidence

  • Decreased caregiver stress

Related Articles & Resources

Please note that the recommendation of particular websites, resources, or support groups does not necessarily indicate an endorsement of all the opinions or content within them.

Schedule a PCIT Intake Session

What is Feeding Therapy?

Feeding Therapy
Mother spoon feeding her child during feeding therapy.

Behavior feeding therapy is based on the principles and procedures of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to treat feeding refusal that is not due to an underlying medical disorder or underlying disorder of feeding such as oral motor deficits.

​

Behavior feeding therapy is a treatment for children who demonstrate feeding refusal solely due to behavior. Behavior feeding therapy is an outpatient therapy that requires consistent caregiver participation and daily homework outside of the session.

 

Feeding Therapy can be helpful for children for a variety of issues, including:

​

  • Improving sensory tolerance to various food textures

  • Reducing avoidance behaviors during mealtimes

  • Developing chewing skills

  • Increasing variety and volume of nutritional intake to include all food groups and textures

  • Teaching self-feeding skills including drinking from a cup and using utensils

Deciding if Feeding Therapy is a Good Fit for your Family

Seeking feeding therapy services for your child is a major decision. Families who participate in feeding therapy often report the following challenges for their child during initial sessions:

​

  • Difficulty weaning from a bottle to solid foods

  • Refusing to eat and engaging in avoidance behaviors (e.g., throwing food, screaming, refusing to sit at the table)

  • Eating less than 20 foods consistently

  • Not eating a variety of foods from all food groups

  • Avoiding entire food groups

  • Growth difficulties

  • Eating certain textures of food (e.g., purees, crunchy solids)

  • Challenges with eating or drinking as would be expected for his/her age (e.g. inability to drink from a cup, not using utensils)

  • Difficulty transitioning from tube to oral feeding

  • Coughing or choking while eating or shortly after eating

  • Not eating an adequate volume within a reasonable timeframe

Oklahoma family participating in feeding therapy.

Related Articles & Resources

Please note that the recommendation of particular websites, resources, or support groups does not necessarily indicate an endorsement of all the opinions or content within them.

Schedule a Feeding Therapy Intake

bottom of page