PCIT

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a short-term, specialized behavior management program designed for young children experiencing behavioral and/or emotional difficulties with their families.

PCIT works with the child and caregiver together to improve the overall behavior and to reduce parenting stress.

About PCIT

An evidenced based therapy that involves the parents/caregivers and the child TOGETHER.  Through this interaction, new patterns in family interactions are formed.  This is accomplished by parents/caregivers being coached in each session by the therapist in PCIT skills.  They are never asked to implement skills, which they have not practiced first.  They are given immediate feedback.  PCIT is a transparent treatment, telling the parents/caregivers what the goals are for each of the two phases of PCIT as well as information on how close they are to meeting these goals.  PCIT is a true partnership between the adults in the child’s life.

For more information on PCIT or to decide if PCIT is right for you and your child, please visit the PCIT International website, or call us so we can answer any questions you might have about the process or therapy.

PCIT has been well-established through scientific research.

Significant improvement has been seen in maternal depression, parent-child relationships and child behaviors in the home, school and childcare settings.  These changes have also been noted in siblings of children participating in PCIT.

PCIT is effective for families coping with the effects of trauma. Through the skills learned during therapy, parents develop enriched relationships with their children. 

Parents quickly become confident and proficient in the use of the skills with their child.

Parents receive immediate feedback from the therapist.

PCIT uses a concrete, skills based approach to teach parents and children new and appropriate ways to relate.  In session, the parent and child play together as the PCIT therapist coaches the parent in appropriate interactions.