Integrating Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) with Contextual Therapies: A Difficult Case Study

Abstract

The present research combines Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) with two Contextual Therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), to intervene in a challenging clinical case presenting multiple risk factors for therapeutic success. The case involves a four-year-old boy exhibiting frequent disruptive behaviors and tantrums alongside his parents, who display dysfunctional parenting styles and face significant life stressors, including marital conflict, family disagreements, paternal substance abuse, low-to-middle socioeconomic status, and logistical difficulties in attending therapy. A single-case AB design was employed, with weekly measurements of tantrums at home and systematic observations of parent-child interactions during sessions. The intervention was conducted over 13 sessions across one year, involving the child and both parents. Results indicate that the combined treatment was effective in reducing the child’s behavioral problems, modifying dysfunctional parenting styles, improving the overall family climate, and promoting treatment adherence and attendance. This study provides preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of integrating PCIT with ACT and FAP in complex childhood cases that would otherwise present a high probability of therapeutic failure and early dropout.