Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

What is PCIT?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an empirically-based, positive and intensive treatment program designed to help parents and children together to improve the quality of the parent-child relationship and to teach parents the skills necessary to manage their children's behavior problems.

During PCIT, the parent, or caregiver, is in the room with the child while the therapist is in a separate room watching the interactions. The therapist and the parent communicate with one another, throughout the session, using earbuds. 

PCIT is completed in 2 stages: CDI and PDI focused.

The first stage - Child-Directed Interactions (CDI) - allows the parent to interact with his or her child and foster a positive relationship. In this stage, the child leads the interactions and the parent follows along without placing demands on the child.

In the next stage - Parent-Directed Interactions (PDI), the parent leads the interactions while playing with the child. The parent will use the skills developed within the first stage to lead his or her interactions and react appropriately with the child. The parent will also depend on the positive rapport built between the parent and his or her child from the first stage. In many cases, this stage provides time for the parent to address the child’s disruptive behaviors with the support of the therapist.

Who is it for? 

PCIT is ideal for any parents, or caregivers, for children with disruptive behavior. 

Adaptations

PCIT has been adapted to address the needs of specific populations (ex. age, cultural backgrounds, trauma history, diagnosed disorders, etc.)

Intake $50; Sessions $35