Rosh Psychiatry Board Practice Exam

Referring the family to parent management therapy is the ideal clinical intervention in this scenario for several reasons. Parent management therapy (PMT) is specifically designed to equip parents with effective strategies for managing their child's challenging behaviors. It focuses on reinforcing positive behavior and decreasing negative behaviors through structured techniques, such as consistency in discipline and positive reinforcement methods. Given that the child is 9 years old, interventions that involve the family and empower the parents with the tools to address behavioral issues directly are highly beneficial. This approach recognizes that behavioral issues in children often arise from complex interactions within the family system. By involving the parents and teaching them how to adjust their parenting styles and responses, there can be a significant improvement not only in the child's behavior but also in the parent-child relationship. Such interventions are often supported by a wealth of research demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing behavioral problems in children and enhancing family dynamics. Other options, while potentially beneficial in certain contexts, do not address the immediate need for structured behavioral interventions to help manage the child’s difficulties. For instance, starting a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor may be appropriate if there is a diagnosis of major depression or anxiety, but it does not provide the foundational skills needed for day-to-day behavioral challenges. Group therapy might offer some