Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Who?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for young children (ages 2-7) with emotional and behavioral challenges and their caregiver(s). Our therapists are also trained to utilize PCIT with older children (ages 8-11) using developmentally appropriate adaptations.

PCIT may help when:

• A child has difficulty with the following challenges (but not limited to): regulating strong emotion; sustaining attention/focus; following directions or taking the lead of adults/authority figures; anxious behaviors leading to attempts to control their environment or others around them; accepting when things do not go their way; low self-esteem due to big emotional/behavioral outbursts; aggression or physical displays of emotions and needs
• There are frequent power struggles in the caregiver-child relationship
• Emotional or behavioral challenges of the child are causing distress in family relationships; caregivers would like help with parenting and improving caregiver-child relationships

How?

PCIT is conducted through coaching sessions during which you and your child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room watching you interact with your child through a one-way window. You wear a “bug-in-the-ear” device through which the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills you are learning to manage and respond to your child’s emotions and behaviors.

PCIT is done across two treatment phases. The first phase of treatment focuses on establishing or strengthening the warmth in your relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with caregivers, and good about themselves. The second phase of treatment will equip you to manage the most challenging of your child’s behaviors while remaining confident, calm, and consistent in your approach to discipline and limit setting. In this phase, you will learn proven strategies to help your child accept your limits, take your lead when needed, respect rules, and demonstrate appropriate behavior in public.

With consistent attendance and homework completion, PCIT can be completed within 12-20 sessions, though treatment is not time-limited.

For more information:For Parents (pcit.org)