Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
Problems addressed
Externalizing behaviors/problems
Family breakdown and/or dysfunctionality
Internalizing behaviors/problems
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Children (4 to 13 years)
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Education establishment
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Israel
Description

This is a therapeutic program for the treatment of children between 3 and 8 years old with behavioral, emotional, social, and attachment disorders, as well as for their parents. The objective is to strengthen the relationship between children and parents through skills training for caregivers to respond more effectively to their children’s emotional and behavioral needs.
Ten sessions are conducted, including didactic components, supervision, and group work. In the first three sessions, parents learn child-centered therapeutic skills, concepts, and attitudes through recreational games. From the fourth to the tenth week, parents practice these skills with their children under the supervision of a facilitator. The sessions are recorded, and the therapist, whenever necessary, plays part of the videos to provide supervision and feedback to the parents during the weekly groups.

Impact evaluations

Impact evaluation studies show an effective outcome for family cohesion and disruptive disorders and behavior, and promising results for internalizing problems [1] [2] [2] [3] [3] [4].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Carnes-Holt, K. & Bratton, S. C. (2014). The Efficacy of Child Parent Relationship Therapy for Adopted Children With Attachment Disruptions. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(3), 328–337. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2014.00160.x

[2] Ceballos, P. L. & Bratton, S. C. (2010). Empowering Latino families: Effects of a culturally responsive intervention for low-income immigrant Latino parents on children's behaviors and parental stress. Psychology in the Schools, 47(8), 761–775. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.20502

[3] Kidron, M., & Landreth, G. (2010). Intensive child parent relationship therapy with Israeli parents in Israel. International Journal of Play Therapy, 19(2), 64. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0017516

[4] Sheely-Moore, A. I. & Bratton, S. C. (2010). A Strengths-Based Parenting Intervention with Low-Income African American Families. Professional School Counseling, 13(3), 2156759X1001300. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X1001300305

Information source