Today I started a new therapy with the girls called Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Honestly, I had never heard of it before. Before we started this therapy I had to commit to completing the 12 week program. It was very interesting. I was in a room with an ear piece and the therapist told me to things with the girls while she observed. The girls knew that she was watching in the next room and was talking with me.
First I worked with Lily. We sat in the room with 4 different options for play. For the first 5 minutes she got to pick what we did. She wanted to color and write. We made a family book together. She wanted me to be involved with her. After 5 minutes it was my turn to pick an activity. She didn't want to change activities and tried to negotiate. After 5 minutes of my activity I was told to have her pick up the toys and put them in the corner. Lily had a problem with that, she felt I should help and didn't like the control but she did comply.
Next I worked with Dimples doing the same things. She also wanted to draw first but didn't seem to care if I interacted with her or not. She started asking me if we were going to stop on the way home for food. She continued to ask that the entire session with me answering her no every time. When we got to change to my activity she was very willing and then was willing to clean up. She didn't even seem to notice or care that I wasn't picking up.
It was interesting how differently both girls reacted during their sessions. Lily didn't want to give up control but wanted interaction versus Dimples who didn't seem to mind the control and wasn't to interested in interaction.
Today we were there to get the baseline and according to the therapist they will be training me to do my own play therapy. This program is supposed to help with attachment issues as well as parenting issues. They will only do it if they think the girls will not go home because of the attachment aspects. It will be interesting to see how the next 11 weeks go.
Anyone ever do Parent-Child Interaction Therapy?
Nope. I bet there are going to be times when you have to fake the feelings with this. Or is that not a problem with you. Sometimes behavior will bother me so badly (or just plain be so rude) that I'd really rather walk away--and sometimes they do have to go to their rooms to think about other choices--but sometimes I just plain fake it because I know that's best for them.
ReplyDeletethat sounds very interesting. I am curious to hear what you think about it as you progress through the program.
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