Brief and/or Intensive Parent Training

Externalizing behavior problems (EBP) in early childhood, including aggression, defiance, hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive symptoms, pose significant challenges, affecting 15–34% of children. These EBP issues are associated with psychosocial impairments and substantial economic burdens to society. Behavioral-Parent Training (BPT) is an established evidence-based intervention for EBP, yet high attrition rates hinder its effectiveness, which may be contributed to logistical barriers and length of treatment (typically 3–4 months). This chapter explores strategies to improve engagement through more brief and intensive delivery models, which aim to enhance accessibility and cost-effectiveness while maintaining treatment fidelity. Strategies for adapting BPT programs to condensed formats are discussed, emphasizing the importance of maintaining efficacy. This chapter also includes a case study utilizing a brief and intensive adaptation of a well-established BPT (intensive parent-child interaction therapy; I-PCIT). By addressing barriers to engagement, shortened BPT models offer a pathway to improve outcomes for children with EBP and their families.