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Patient and family stories
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Parent-child therapy helps mother and son steer clear of power struggles
 Four-year-old Lucas Moe used to throw lots of big tantrums over small things. Putting on his clothes. Picking up a toy. Everything seemed to turn into a battle of wills with his mother, Christie, who would collapse at the end of the day exhausted.
Lucas still has his fretful moments, but they're fewer and further between since he and his mom started Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) at Odessa Brown Children's Clinic.
Behind a one-way mirror, child psychologist Dr. Michael McDonell watches as Christie plays with Lucas, using specific parenting skills to reward good behavior and discourage inappropriate, aggressive or defiant behavior.
Talking to Christie through a "bug" in her ear, he coaches and gives encouragement: "Let's say, 'Please give me the apple,' and praise him if he follows directions."
"It's exciting to watch parents become more confident in their parenting skills," McDonell says. "Christie is now able to confidently praise and limit Lucas' behavior, and Lucas has learned that following directions is fun."
Christie, who also has a 10-year-old daughter, Holly, admits she was skeptical about PCIT at first. But she and her husband, Dale, started seeing a change in their son after only two sessions.
At a recent picnic, when Christie held up two fingers, indicating that Lucas had two choices - pick the hotdog up from the ground or take a time-out - she was secretly thrilled when he said, "Aw, okay," and picked up the hotdog.
"It works," she says. "He doesn't see me get frustrated. He sees me stay calm. We don't have the power struggles. I'm in control."
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