Description
Problem-Solving Skills Training (PSST) is a therapeutic intervention aimed at teaching children ages 7 to 14 with conduct disorder how to approach interpersonal situations. Treatment consists 50-minute weekly individual sessions, for approximately 8 to 14 weeks. The program uses a cognitive-behavioral approach to teach techniques in managing thoughts and feelings, and interacting appropriately with others. Specific techniques include modeling, role-playing, positive reinforcement of appropriate behavior, and teaching alternative behaviors. Children are typically given homework to help them practice implementing these skills. Therapists also teach parents to help their child reinforce their new skills.
Parent Management Treatment (PMT) focuses on changing how children respond in interpersonal situations at home, school and community. PMT is conducted with the caregivers. The treatment consists of 5 to 10 weekly sessions, approximately 25 – 60 minutes each. Duration of treatment can vary. Each session tends to consist of modeling skills by the therapist and role playing and rehearsal of skill by the caregiver, so they can implement behavior change in the home.
PSST and PMT used together can alter both parent and child behavior in the home.
Train the child to think differently about situations and behave differently in diverse situations, Help the child internalize the problem solving steps so that they are able to use them to evaluate potential solutions to problems occurring outside of therapy, Learn and Generalize problem solving skills and how to apply problem solving skills using self-instruction, Learn how to generate positive solutions that would enable the child to avoid physical aggression, resolve the conflict, and keep themselves out of trouble
