MATERIAL COMMUNICATIONS
MFA Thesis and tools for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
2012 - 2014
In partnership with a New York City-based child mental health institution, Child Mind Institute, a retro-active independent design research project was conducted across two years. The research consisted of attending clinical meetings focused on treatment plans and quality assurance for families, observations of therapy sessions with a parent and child, and interviews with parents who have completed Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT is an evidence-based therapy program to support children with what is called disruptive behavior disorder. The therapy is centered on treating the parent. The clinicians who facilitate the program teach parents special interaction skills to encourage the positive behaviors of their children. The research project built on the existing program by designing a set of tools to help parents to remember to practice their skills more often at home.
Read the thesis book accompanying this project, 80 pages
Read a shortened paper about this project
Watch a talk about Material Communications
Image Credit: Daisy Chen, Hasselblad 500cm (1970-1994).The images above are staged photographs of the tools designed as part of the research project with Child Mind Institute. The scenarios are staged for family privacy.