The CALM Program: Adapting PCIT to Treat Early Childhood Anxiety

Presented by Anthony Puliafico, PhD

Anthony Puliafico, PhD, is an associate professor of clinical psychology in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. His professional focus is on the development and implementation of treatment approaches for anxiety, OCD, and school avoidance in children and adolescents.

About the Event

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health concerns in childhood. When untreated, they are associated with the onset of depression, suicidality, and substance abuse, as well as educational and occupational impairment. This presentation will outline a developmentally appropriate treatment known as the CALM Program for anxiety in early childhood. The CALM Program utilizes the structure of a developmentally appropriate treatment approach, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), to provide exposure therapy for young children and to teach caregivers helpful skills for managing their child’s anxiety.

Learning Objectives

Following this presentation, the learner will be able to:

• List one reason for providing a family-based treatment for early childhood anxiety
• Describe the two treatment components that comprise the CALM Program
• List the four components of the DADS sequence used to guide exposure-based interventions in the CALM Program

About the Visiting Professor Lecture Series

The Child Mind Institute Visiting Professor Lecture Series invites leaders in the field of child and adolescent mental health to talk about the latest research and treatment protocols. All events are open to the public. Continuing medical education (CME) credits for psychiatrists and continuing education (CE) credits for psychologists and social workers are available to registered course participants. Learn more.