From the Guidelines
Referrals for parent management therapy (PMT) do exist and are a crucial component of treating children with behavioral concerns, including disruptive behavior disorders, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct problems. To obtain a referral, parents can start by discussing their child's behavioral concerns with their primary care provider, who can then connect them with appropriate PMT services 1. These referrals typically lead to licensed mental health professionals such as child psychologists, clinical social workers, or family therapists who specialize in evidence-based parenting interventions. PMT is particularly effective because it addresses the environmental factors that maintain problematic behaviors and equips parents with concrete skills to promote positive behavior change in their children.
The therapy typically involves 8-16 weekly sessions where parents learn specific techniques to manage challenging behaviors, establish consistent discipline strategies, and strengthen the parent-child relationship. Insurance often covers PMT with a proper referral, though coverage varies by provider and plan. According to recent guidelines, PMT has strong empirical support and is recommended as a first-line treatment for children with ADHD and other behavioral disorders 1. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that primary care clinicians consider referring parents of children with ADHD for parent training in behavior management (PTBM), which is a type of PMT 1.
Some key points to consider when referring parents for PMT include:
- The importance of a thorough assessment and diagnosis of the child's behavioral concerns
- The need for a collaborative approach to treatment, involving the child, parents, and healthcare providers
- The potential benefits of PMT in reducing problematic behaviors and improving parent-child relationships
- The availability of insurance coverage for PMT services, which can vary depending on the provider and plan. Overall, referrals for PMT are an essential part of providing comprehensive care for children with behavioral concerns, and healthcare providers should consider referring parents to these services as part of a treatment plan 1.
From the Research
Referrals for Parent Management Therapy
- Referrals for parent management therapy do exist, as parent management training (PMT) is a well-investigated treatment technique for children and adolescents with oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behavior 2.
- PMT has been shown to be effective in reducing parent-rated disruptive behavior and improving parental skills and child social skills 3.
- Parent management training can be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to address comorbid conditions like anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 4, 5.
- Referrals for PMT may be made to address coercive and disruptive behavior in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who are receiving CBT 6.
- The effectiveness of PMT can be evaluated through various outcomes, including reductions in disruptive behavior, improvements in parental skills, and enhancements in child social skills 2, 3.