KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and SportsParent-Child Integrated Therapy helps Siouxland family

A new kind of therapy is helping children with behavioral disorders in Siouxland. It's a therapy that puts the parent in the driver seat.

Since she was 18 months old, Chloe has been spicy. That's what mom, Amy Matney, called it. But deep down she knew there was a problem. "She used to hit me a lot, throw things at me," said Amy Matney. After many doctor visits, Chloe was diagnosed with a list of challenges: ADHD, ODD, OCD, Aggression and sensory issues. All of which meant an uphill battle for a little girl. Amy searched for help. "Everything in Sioux City that I have any knowledge of, we've tried," said Amy. None of which ended with major improvement. Until now. "Children best learn to express emotions through play," said Robin Rowland.

Clinical Social Worker Robin Rowland got Amy and Chloe into Parent-Child Integrated Therapy. "Essentially we're teaching the parent how to be a play therapist," said Robin Rowland. Parents are taught to abandon the negative. Words kids with behavioral issues hear all too often. "No, Don't, Stop, Quit," said Rowland. And instead embrace the positive.. that can boost self-esteem and confidence. You start by learning necessary skills... like labeled praises... "Good job, Chloe. And you did it so carefully, I love that," said Amy. "Great. You made it into a labeled praise by praising exactly what she did right," said Rowland. Behavioral descriptions.... "You're going, you're twisting it, twisting it," said Amy. "Nice behavioral description," said Rowland. And reflections.... "Remember every time you do those reflections that let's her know that you're listening to her," said Rowland.

"The concept is to over teach these skills to the parent so they become second nature," said Rowland. Amy admits... P-C-I-T therapy is a lot of work. "The parent's required to do five minutes of homework every night, and that's practice these skills with their child every night for five minutes," said Rowland. And some times, you still meet opposition from a child. "Hand me the kitty with the blue skirt, please," said Amy. "No." said Chloe. But in the end, Amy says Chloe's grown by leaps and bounds in just the two months since they started play therapy. And it's helped them bond even more as parent and child. "I would do it all over again in a heartbeat," said Amy.

The Parent-Child Integrated Therapy works best with children between the ages of two and seven. If you'd like to learn more about it, you can call Robin Rowland at 712-255-0232.