This is an intensive parenting program for individual families. It is a hands on
approach providing a direct here and now experience.
The approach is based on sound psychological principles including, Social Learning
Theory and Attachment Theory. It is an approach recommended by the National Institute
of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. NICE reviews current evidence for
treatments and makes recommendations with the aim of improving healthcare and healthy
living.
Parent-Child Game (PCG) enables the parent to interact directly with their child
whilst being observed and coached by the therapist.
It focuses on reducing challenging behaviours in children as well as fostering improved
attachment and bonding through strengthening the parent–child relationship.
The approach models the use of positive strategies which reduces the parents’ experience
of criticism and the feeling of being judged. This helps the parent to feel empowered,
focusing on their skill development.
The approach breaks down the strategies used by parents into simpler component parts.
The work is collaborative with parents being able to observe directly and reflect
upon their own parenting behaviours through video feedback of the sessions. This
enables parents to gain a better understanding of their own behaviours and how their
children respond.
The therapist aims to help parents to interact with their child in a way that will
result in the child’s cooperation. This is done by focusing on the parents use of
child-centred behaviours through the medium of play rather than child-directive behaviours.
The PCG occurs in two phases of work. The initial phase is called the Child-Game
which focuses on the parent developing their child-centred skills. These sessions
involves 10 minutes guided play between the parent and child.
The second phase is called the Parents-Game. This phase of work is to focus on helping
the parent in the use of child directive strategies for those occasions when more
direct intervention such as commands are required.
The model is effective for families who are experiencing severe and/or long standing
behaviour and relationships problems with their children.
It targets families with children between the ages of 18 months to 8 years or similar
developmental level.
It has been effective where other approaches, such a parent skills training groups
have not been helpful.
History
The PCG has been used for over forty years with research showing its effectiveness
in working with troubled children and their parents.
The techniques were originally developed by child psychologist Connie Kauf and developed
into the Parent-Child Game by Professors Forehand and McMahon in the USA before being
taken forward by Sue Jenner and colleagues at the Maudsley Hospital London in the
1980s.
