Practical, evidence-based guide to using time-out safely and effectively

Written by leading experts
Highlights applied research
Reviews parent training programs
Details parent–child interaction therapy
Addresses controversial issues
Includes downloadable tools

This book is essential reading for psychologists, therapists, students, and anyone who works with children and their families. It is a compact, comprehensive guide to understanding, administering, and teaching caregivers to implement time-out effectively for child behavior management. Readers will learn about time-out’s history and scientific research base, particularly with respect to child age, cultural groups, and presenting concerns. Practitioners will appreciate the focus on applied research highlighting the efficacy of specific time-out parameters, such as duration, location, and handling escape. Overviews of behavioral parent training programs that include time-out are also provided. The authors then share their expertise in the use of time-out in parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT), both conceptually and by using an in-depth case study. They also thoroughly examine controversial issues related to time-out, from theoretical and practical standpoints. The appendix provides the clinician with hands-on tools: step-by-step diagrams for administering time-out and managing escape, handouts for parents about issuing effective instructions, and a list of further resources.

Praise for the book

“Time-Out in Child Behavior Management is a brilliantly written book covering every aspect of the time-out procedure, from its history and research base to its application in parent–child interaction therapy and in a fascinating case vignette. The authors directly confront existing controversial views about time-out and importantly address critical developmental and diversity considerations in the use of time-out. All mental health providers working with young children need to read this book!”
Daniel M. Bagner, PhD, ABPP, Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training, Florida International University, Miami, FL

“Many parents, and some healthcare professionals, report using “time-out” in child discipline. The technique is often misunderstood and misapplied. In this volume the authors document the evidence-base showing how this well-established technique can be used properly and be implemented most effectively and efficiently. They describe the theoretical concepts and the foundational research into time-out protocols with a full range of presenting behavioral problems. They ably consider the controversies and issues raised about time-out procedures and then present applications with different populations. With this comprehensive yet succinct book, practitioners and clinical trainees will have a better understanding of this ubiquitous strategy and provide caregivers with practical and effective guidance on its optimal use.”
Michael C. Roberts, PhD, ABPP, Professor Emeritus, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Time-Out in Child Behavior Management

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