Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Learn about PCIT and how it helps children and families
Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT)
How it works
PCIT therapists work with caregivers and their child together to address emotional and behavioral challenges. As caregivers learn new strategies, the PCIT therapist coaches them in session as they use these skills with their child.
Two phases
Children thrive when caregivers are warm and nurturing, but also able to set appropriate limits and keep them safe.
In PCIT, treatment goals are met through completion of two phases of treatment that work together.
Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
In the CDI phase, treatment focuses on relationship building while reducing attention-seeking behaviors. Caregivers learn strategies for increasing children’s positive behaviors, self-esteem, and communication skills through loving and nurturing interactions.
Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)
In the PDI phase, the treatment focus is on helping caregivers set appropriate limits by using calm and consistent strategies to effectively manage their child’s behavior. Children learn to follow rules and directions during this phase.
Who can benefit
PCIT is the gold-standard intervention for young children, benefitting children ages 2-7 who display any or all of the following:
- Anger outbursts or severe tantrums
- Not following directions or rules
- Aggressive behavior
- Antagonizing others
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsive behavior
- Relational problems with caregivers
Caregivers
PCIT emphasizes the role of the caregiver in the child’s life. All caregivers who are responsible for taking care of the child and discipline are encouraged to participate. This includes:
- Biological parents
- Adoptive parents
- Foster parents
- Kinship caregivers
- Grandparents
- Legal guardians
Additional benefits
PCIT has many positive “side effects,” including:
- Improved behavior at school
- Improved sibling behavior
- Decreased caregiver stress
- Improved self-esteem
- Improved attention span
- Improved frustration tolerance
- Improved communication
Although PCIT was designed for children with disruptive behavior, it has been shown to be helpful in improving symptoms of autism, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and depression as well.
Telehealth & PCIT
Although PCIT was designed to be implemented in a specially-designed clinic, recent research has shown PCIT to be just as effective as delivered via internet-based video-conferencing (telehealth).
This is great news for families who do not have access to a local certified PCIT provider, those that prefer to complete treatment at home, and those that find telehealth appointments more convenient.
When families participate in PCIT via telehealth, they connect to the therapist via a secure teleconferencing platform, like Zoom.
Sometimes children like to talk with the therapist on the screen, and sometimes they are shy or impatient. All are ok! Active or uninterested children will usually participate in the play-based activities just fine, and that’s the most important part for them.
To create the best PCIT set-up at home:
- Have 2-3 PCIT-friendly toys available
- Limit distractions like animals, siblings, and electronics
- Remove anything fragile or dangerous
- Use a room with a door if your child tends to run off
For best results, families are encouraged to connect using a laptop or tablet connected to a wireless earbud. This allows the therapist to communicate with just the caregiver during coaching, just like a clinic-based session.
Your PCIT therapist will assist you in choosing good toys from what you have available at home. In general, good PCIT toys include those that do not have any rules and typically encourage positive behavior, including:
- Building toys like blocks or Lego
- Creative toys like coloring or Play-doh
- Imaginative play toys like train sets, play farms, and play food
Some toys should be avoided. These include those that:
- Encourage aggressive, destructive, or overly messy play
- Discourage interaction and cooperative play
Telehealth PCIT sessions will usually have three parts:
- The therapist will talk with caregivers about the previous week and homework. (5-10 minutes)
- The therapist observes the caregiver using the PCIT skills with their child and coaches the caregiver to help develop these skills. (30-40 minutes)
- The therapist reviews treatment progress and discusses homework for the upcoming week. (5-10 minutes)
