Domestic violence continues to be a significant social problem impacting our society. Battered women and their children experience
a myriad of negative consequences as a result of domestic violence. Of the possible negative sequelae that mothers and children
experience, the disrupted parent–child relationship has received relatively little attention in the literature. Though psychosocial
interventions are available to treat women who experience violence and children who witness violence, few interventions focus
on the parent–child relationship. This article describes parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT), a relationship-based intervention.
Although not initially developed to treat domestic violence, PCIT has unique characteristics that make it a promising intervention
with this population. A rationale for the use of PCIT with battered women and their children is presented.
Keywords Parent–child interaction therapy - Domestic violence - Parent–child relationships