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The death of a loved one is a universal experience, and grief comes along with it, in many different shapes and forms. Experiencing grief after a loss is a natural and normal part of life, and most people will manage grief with the support of loved ones and practicing self-care, without lasting impact on their lives.

Experiencing death and loss of a loved one is a natural and unavoidable part of living, and no matter how old you get, dealing with feelings of grief can be confusing and overwhelming. Caring for a child or teen in the wake of a loss can feel challenging. It’s difficult to know what to do, or what to say, to help them understand and process the death of a loved one. Grief often comes with many different emotions, thoughts, and feelings, and for children who experience their first loss, it can disrupt their view of the world and what it means to live.

While Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) was originally designed to address behavior difficulties for young children, the PCIT model has since been adapted or applied to a wider range of challenges that young children face, including ADHD, anxiety, selective mutism, and trauma.

The following is an interview with a real client at the Center for Effective Therapy who utilized The Modular Approach to Therapy for Children (MATCH) to support their child struggling with anxiety and depression.

Many families express finding it difficult to identify appropriate and effective treatments for young children. It can be hard to tell if play or talk therapy approaches for young kids are addressing the core challenges that they and their families face. At the same time, young kids are less likely to engage meaningfully in individual cognitive behavioral therapy approaches due to limited developmental capabilities. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy was designed to facilitate prosocial behavior change for kids between the ages of 2 and 7, through the scaffolding of parents. It still incorporates play, to keep it fun and engaging for the child, but each step of treatment is intentionally building skills that the child needs to succeed.