Parent-Child Relational Clinic
Co-Directors: Kate Rosenblum, Ph.D., and Sheila Marcus, M.D.
Who does the PCRC help?
The Parent-Child Relational Clinic (PCRC) is available to parents of young children (1- to 6- years old) who exhibit challenging behaviors, including those with:
- high levels of anxiety
- difficulty in regulation (feeding, sleeping, self-soothing)
- aggressive behaviors
- developmental concerns (language, socialization)
Other children who benefit from these services are:
- in foster care or have a history of early relationship disruptions or losses
- having difficulties with custody/visitation arrangements because of foster care or parental separation/divorce,
- those whose families have experienced a traumatic event,
- those whose parents themselves struggle with illness.
What will PCRC do for me?
Decades of research confirm that the parent-child relationship lays a foundation for children’s emotional and behavioral well-being. Yet many families face challenges that may result from difficult child behavior, family stresses, or other factors and situations that affect family life.
The PCRC helps parents and infants to develop secure, joyful relationships, which in turn sets them on a healthy developmental path, regardless of diagnosis.
Faculty members at the PCRC are experts in early childhood and represent a range of disciplines including psychology, psychiatry, and social work. Using evidence-based strategies for evaluating child behavior and development, as well as family strengths and challenges, the team provides families with support and resources to strengthen parenting and address children’s needs. In addition to diagnostic assessment of the child, the PCRC provides parents with individually tailored support and guidance.
What happens in the evaluation session?
The evaluation includes three sessions usually scheduled in successive weeks.
- The first session is an interview with parents alone. This provides us with an opportunity to hear your concerns, to get to know your child’s developmental history, and to begin to learn more about your family life together.
- The second session is a videotaped assessment of the child interacting with clinic staff and parents, engaging in a variety of tasks that allow us to learn more about how your child responds to a variety of situations and experiences.
- During the third session videotape is reviewed with parents to highlight important diagnostic markers and support parents in finding ways to best address child needs.
Following the evaluation children may be referred for ongoing individual or family therapy.
To schedule an initial appointment:
734-764-0231
or toll fee
1-800-525-5188
Clinic location:
Ambulatory Psychiatry Services
Rachel Upjohn Building, East Medical Campus
4250 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Fax: 734-763-5580
