Professional Development
Early Childhood Mental Health Training
Specialized training programs focused on early childhood mental health and development.
Learn from Experienced Professionals
Our training programs are led by Dr. Georgette Saad and other experienced clinicians who bring years of practical experience and specialized knowledge to their teaching.
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of early childhood mental health, enhance your therapeutic skills, or expand your professional toolkit, our training programs offer valuable learning opportunities in a supportive environment.
About Our Training Programs
We offer an intensive Within-Agency Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Training program for our clinicians. This comprehensive training program is designed to equip our therapists with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide PCIT, a proven, evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems.
Our PCIT training focuses on enhancing the quality of parent-child relationships and changing interaction patterns. It involves two distinct phases: child-directed interaction (CDI), which is similar to play therapy and focuses on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship, and parent-directed interaction (PDI), where parents learn to manage their child’s behavior effectively while maintaining a loving and nurturing relationship.
The within-agency training structure allows our therapists to learn and practice PCIT in the context of their ongoing work within the agency. This contextual learning environment facilitates the practical application of theoretical knowledge, resulting in a more profound understanding of the therapy process and its impact on clients.
The training includes a mix of didactic sessions, role-play activities, live coaching, and consultation meetings. The didactic sessions provide foundational knowledge about PCIT principles and techniques. Role-plays and live coaching sessions allow therapists to practice the skills they learn under the guidance and feedback of experienced trainers. Consultation meetings, held regularly, offer an opportunity for therapists to discuss cases, share experiences, and learn from each other.
The goal of our within-agency PCIT training is not only to help therapists develop expertise in PCIT but also to cultivate a team of PCIT practitioners within the agency who can support each other, share best practices, and ensure the quality and consistency of PCIT services provided to our clients. With this training, we aim to extend the benefits of PCIT to more families, helping them foster more fulfilling relationships and address behavioral challenges effectively.
Core Components of PCIT Training
Assessing Parent-Child Interaction
This training allows you to develop proficiency in observing, interpreting, and coding the quality of parent-child play interactions, providing a solid foundation for implementing targeted interventions that enhance the parent-child relationship and improve child behavior.
Coaching Relationship Enhancement
Therapists learn how to guide parents in building nurturing and responsive relationships with their children. Develops your skills in coaching parents to use skills and fostering positive interactions that lay the foundation for improved parent-child dynamics and enhanced child behavior.
Supporting Behavioral Change and Emotional Coregulation
Our training emphasizes the teaching and coaching of effective discipline techniques, equipping parents with strategies to set clear expectations, give effective commands, and respond consistently, thereby enhancing children's compliance and self-regulation abilities.
Ready to Enhance Your Professional Skills?
Contact us to learn more about our training programs and upcoming workshops.