Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for young children who display behavioral difficulties. PCIT is unique in that caregivers are taught and directly coached to use specialized, therapeutic parenting strategies to better manage their child’s behavior.
Goals of PCIT (Why Bother?!)
Improve the quality of the parent-child relationship
Increase the child's positive social skills and cooperation
Help parents build or maintain positive, warm relationships with their child
Decrease the child's disruptive behaviors and improve emotion regulation
Reduce parental stress
Support parents as they set firm, developmentally appropriate limits with their child
What To Expect With PCIT
PCIT is unique in that children and their parents are seen together in session.
Before beginning treatment, the family attends an initial intake session where the therapist gathers information about the child’s history and the parents’ goals and concerns for their child. The therapist will work with the family to determine whether PCIT is the appropriate treatment.
After the intake session, the therapist conducts a baseline observation of the caregivers and the child interacting in several play-based situations.
During session, the PCIT therapist observes the caregivers and the child and coaches caregivers through headphones to apply specialized, therapeutic parenting skills as they play and interact with their child. Our PCIT therapists currently provide Internet-Based Telehealth PCIT. Research has found that Internet-based PCIT is just as (or even more effective) than clinic-provided PCIT, as the therapists can help you practice the skills in the comfort of your home! Caregivers also complete daily practice of the skills while playing with their child at home.
Phases Of PCIT
The first phase of treatment focuses on building warmth in the caregiver-child relationship through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their caregivers, and good about themselves.
The second phase of treatment equips caregivers to manage the most challenging of the child's behaviors while remaining confident, calm, and consistent in your approach to discipline. In this phase, caregivers learn proven strategies to help your child accept your limits, comply with your directions, respect house rules, and demonstrate appropriate behavior in public.
