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Evaluation ViewAttendees 4

Child / Adolescent - Externalizing
Session Type:: Symposia

Symposium 60 - Expanding Behavioral Parent Training Models to Include Older Children: Novel Intervention Adaptations for Middle Childhood

Sunday, November 23, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST
Location: Strand 11A&B, Level 2
CE: 1

Keywords: PCIT (Parent Child Interaction Therapy), Child, Parent Training
Level of Familiarity: Basic to Moderate
Recommended Readings: Ghandour, R. M., Sherman, L. J., Vladutiu, C. J., Ali, M. M., Lynch, S. E., Bitsko, R. H., & Blumberg, S. J. (2019). Prevalence and treatment of depression, anxiety, and conduct problems in US children. The Journal of Pediatrics, 206, 256–270.,   Kaminski, J. W., & Claussen, A. H. (2017). Evidence based update for psychosocial treatments for disruptive behaviors in children. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46(4), 477-499. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2017.1310044,   McCart, M.R., & Sheidow, A. J. (2016). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for adolescents with disruptive behavior. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 45(5), 529-563. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1146990,   Lieneman, C., Brabson, L., Highlander, A., Wallace, N., & McNeil, C. (2017). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: Current perspectives. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 10, 239-256. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S91200,   Briegel W. (2018). Tailoring Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for older children: A case study.Zeitschrift fur Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie,46(4), 298304. https://doi.org/10.1024/1422-4917/a000536

Research shows that behavioral parent training programs (BPTs) are the most effective interventions for treating childhood disruptive behavior problems, with some being recommended for children up to age 12 years (Kaminski & Claussen, 2017). However, many BPTs were originally designed for use with younger children from toddlerhood through preschool and early childhood. Therefore, children older than 7 years are often excluded from BPT research and therapy (Lieneman et al., 2017; Ragni et al., 2022). This is problematic as child behavioral referrals, conduct problems, and related diagnoses peak between the ages of 6 and 11 years (Ghandour et al., 2019). Caregivers often face greater challenges implementing behavioral management strategies as children age due to children’s advancing cognitive abilities, growing size and strength, and increasing propensity to seek reinforcement from sources outside of the parent-child relationship (e.g., extracurricular activities, friends). Still, caregivers remain an important component of effective treatment for disruptive behavior problems through adolescence (McCart & Sheidow, 2016). As such, there is a need for developmentally appropriate, manualized BPT interventions designed for families of children in the middle childhood years.
This symposium will present findings on 3 novel behavioral parent training interventions targeting families of children in the middle childhood age range, roughly 7-11 years old. First, the Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Adapted for Older Children (PCIT-OC) model will be outlined. Our first presenter will share results of a small N study of PCIT-OC, including measures of child disruptive behavior, parenting skills, and treatment satisfaction. Insights related to neurodiversity gleaned from these cases will be described. Our second talk will report on larger scale PCIT-OC data collection from implementation efforts by some of its developers. Presenters will discuss implications of the diverse geographic locations and settings in which treatment was conducted. Our third presenter and developer of the PCIT for Middle Childhood (PCIT-MC) model will contrast this model with PCIT and PCIT-OC. Outcome data for transdiagnostic child outcomes and treatment acceptability from PCIT-MC research will be presented, and relative efficacy across neurodevelopmental groups will be compared. Finally, the Family Interaction Training (FIT) program, a novel intervention developed in part by the CDC and our presenters, will be overviewed. Data from the initial study of this flexible, no-cost, internet-based intervention will be presented, including measures of providers' skill acquisition. Implications for implementation of the FIT model in rural treatment deserts will be discussed. Taken together, data from initial research in these novel BPTs for older children are promising. These interventions will benefit individuals who are disadvantaged by the mental health system (e.g., delayed care, long waitlists) which prevents access to early intervention. Further, the symposium will discuss the intersection of multiple marginalized identities who might benefit from the covered programs.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
  1. Identify the need for standardized, validated behavioral parent training (BPT) protocols adapted for youth in middle childhood.
  2. List outcomes and limitations of novel BPT programs adapted for older children.
  3. Describe clinical implications for applying BPTs for older children diverse in demographics, neurodevelopment, and access to care.

Presentations:

  • 12:04 PM - 12:18 PM CST
    (SYM 60) Parent-child Interaction Therapy Adapted for Older Children: A Small N Design

    Speaker: Corey C. Lieneman, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health

    Co-author: Rachel E. Schumacher, Ph.D. – Munroe-Meyer Institute

    Co-author: Alex Gaeth, BS (she/her/hers) – University of Nebraska - Lincoln

    Co-author: Taryn Kauffman, BS (she/her/hers) – University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Co-author: Michaela McWilliams, BS (she/her/hers) – University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Co-author: Keith Allen, PhD, BCBA-D (he/him/his) – Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center

  • 12:18 PM - 12:32 PM CST
    (SYM 60) PCIT for Older Children: Evaluating a Treatment Adaptation for Children Ages 7 - 10

    Speaker: Erinn Victory, M.S. – West Virginia University

    Co-author: Katherine Gibson, PsyD, ABPP (she/her/hers) – Parent and Child Psychological Services PLLC

    Co-author: Hannah Hoch, PhD, BCBA-D (she/her/hers) – Developmental Psychology Practice of Queens

    Co-author: Tara Motzenbecker, LMHC (she/her/hers) – Banyan Psychology Group

    Co-author: Caroline Harvey, PsyD (she/her/hers) – Manhattan Psychology Group, PC

    Co-author: Corey C. Lieneman, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health

    Co-author: Ashley Scudder, Ph.D. – Iowa State University

    Co-author: Rachel Funnell, LMFT (she/her/hers) – Parent and Child Psychological Services PLLC

    Co-author: Cheryl B. McNeil, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Florida

  • 12:32 PM - 12:46 PM CST
    (SYM 60) PCIT for Middle Childhood (PCIT-MC): Summary of a Standardized Protocol and Transdiagnostic Pilot Trial Results

    Speaker: Samuel O. Peer, Ph.D. – Idaho State University

  • 12:46 PM - 1:00 PM CST
    (SYM 60) Evaluating Family Interaction Training (FIT): A Common Elements Approach to Caregiver Skill Development

    Speaker: Jake C. Steggerda, Ph.D. – University of Florida

    Co-Author: Ashley Scudder, Ph.D. – Iowa State University

    Co-author: Lauren B. Quetsch, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Arkansas

    Co-author: Cheryl B. McNeil, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – University of Florida