Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a combination of play therapy and behavioral therapy for young children and their parents or caregivers.
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What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)?
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidenced-based, parent-coaching modality designed to help children ages 2-7 who are experiencing a wide range of social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. PCIT is an attachment-based, live-coaching model that teaches the parent how to utilize very specific play therapy skills to address behaviors that are negatively impacting the child in school or their home. Designed for families struggling with disruptive behaviors, emotional regulation issues, or parent-child relationship challenges, PCIT involves real-time coaching sessions where therapists guide parents through structured interactions to build skills and improve outcomes.
How PCIT Can Help You and Your Child
PCIT teaches the parent how to use a positive approach to help increase the behaviors they want, while decreasing the behaviors that are negatively impacting the child. Using PCIT skills, the parent can learn how to increase the child’s confidence and self-esteem, while improving the parent-child relationship.
How PCIT Works
PCIT is conducted with the parent and child playing, where the interaction is child-led. Typically, the parent and child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room watching the interaction through a one-way mirror and/or live video feed. The parent wears an earpiece device that allows the therapist to provide in-the-moment coaching on the therapeutic skills. PCIT can also be provided using a telehealth model to allow for sessions to be conducted in the home.
PCIT consists of two treatment phases, each lasting approximately 5-6 weeks. One is focused on child-led play and the other focused on teaching the parent how to provide a calm and consistent approach to increase listening. Appointments are weekly, to allow for consistent coaching and fine-tuning of the skills. Parents are expected to provide five minutes of daily home practice with their child, often referred to as “Special Time”.
Goals of PCIT – first treatment phase:
- Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of tantrums
- Decreased activity levels
- Decreased negative attention-seeking behaviors (such as whining and bossiness)
- Decreased parental frustration
- Increased feelings of security, safety, and attachment to the primary caregiver
- Increased attention span
- Increased self-esteem
- Increased pro-social behaviors (such as sharing and taking turns)
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Goals of PCIT – second treatment phase:
- Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of aggressive behaviors
- Decreased frequency of destructive behaviors (such as breaking toys on purpose)
- Decreased defiance
- Increased compliance with adult requests
- Increased respect for family rules
- Improved behavior in public
- Increased parental calmness and confidence during discipline
How to Know if PCIT is Right For You
If you are struggling to help your child improve their self-esteem, feel less anxious, or find a positive way to support their emotional regulation, PCIT skills can be highly beneficial. These skills help reduce hyperactive behaviors and increase a child’s focus and attention span. If you find it challenging to “be in charge,” and your child’s behaviors often influence the actions of others at home or in school settings, PCIT may be able to assist parents in managing and reducing aggressive behaviors in their children.
PCIT is designed for anyone in a caregiver role of a child between ages 2-7 years old.
Online PCIT
PCIT can be administered online via virtual therapy sessions. Therapists can effectively guide parents through video communication while observing interactions in the comfort of the family’s home. Holding sessions in a familiar environment often helps the child feel calmer and more secure, leading to more authentic behavior during therapy. With access to their usual toys and surroundings, children are more likely to engage naturally, providing the therapist with a clearer understanding of the dynamics between parent and child. This setting can enhance the effectiveness of the therapy, as it allows interventions to be tailored to the specific challenges and strengths observed in the child’s everyday life.
