Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a parent based treatment that is designed to help parents and their young children ages 2-7 improve their relationship and reduce challenging behaviors. PCIT teaches parents how to use positive reinforcement, effective communication, and consistent discipline to manage their child's behaviors. It is an evidenced based and short-term intervention that typically lasts for 4-6 months.

How does I-PCIT (virtual) work?

I-PCIT sessions take place at home. The therapist observes the parent and child interacting on screen and provides live coaching to the parent through a bug-in-the-ear device (wireless headphones). 

During the coaching sessions, the therapist teaches the parent how to:

• Provide positive reinforcement for desired behaviors

• Ignore or redirect unwanted behaviors

• Use effective communication strategies

• Set clear expectations and boundaries

• Implement consistent discipline techniques

Benefits of PCIT

PCIT has been shown to be effective in reducing a variety of challenging behaviors in young children, including:

• Tantrums

• Aggression

• Oppositional behavior

• Defiance

• Hyperactivity

• Impulsivity

In addition to reducing challenging behaviors, PCIT can also improve:

• Parent-child relationships

• Parental confidence and competence

• Child social-emotional skills