Teaching Time-Out and Job Card Grounding Procedures to Parents: A Primer for Family Counselors

Abstract

Time-out procedures are proven effective methods for reducing undesirable behavior in children. However, such procedures are often taught incorrectly or used improperly and are therefore of little value in reducing such behaviors. The authors present a review of literature, empirically based instruction methods, and a case scenario to assist family counselors in educating and training parents in the appropriate use of time-out strategies. A form of time-out, known as job card grounding, is also presented as a derivative more applicable to adolescent children.

Effectiveness of Cognitive–Behavioral Family Therapy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Given the content of the treatment protocols used, techniques are then listed under two categories. Accordingly, techniques, such as agreement, reciprocity, self-instruction, application of the Premack principle, modeling, and role-playing compose the behavioral interventions considered effective for resolving family conflicts and promoting coherence among family members (Thibaut and Kelley 1959, Meichenbaum 1977, Premack 1965, Wetchler and Piercy 1986, Gottman and Krokoff 1989, Eaves et al 2005, Friedberg 2006, Nichols 2013, Gladding 2017. Another group of techniques include cognitive interventions.…”