PCIT

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

A man and a boy playing with colorful wooden building blocks on the floor of a living room.

What is PCIT?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment designed for families with children ages 2.5 to 7 years old. It helps strengthen the parent-child relationship, improves positive communication, and effectively reduces tantrums, disruptive behaviors, and parenting stress.

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Coaching

PCIT is conducted through live “coaching” sessions where you interact with your child while receiving real-time guidance from the therapist. Whether in person or via secure telehealth, you'll wear a small earpiece so I can coach you through the skills you're learning as you play and engage with your child. This live feedback allows you to practice new strategies in the moment—building confidence and strengthening your relationship while effectively managing challenging behaviors.

A woman and a young boy playing with colorful building blocks on a table in a cozy living room.

Phases of PCIT

PCIT is done across two treatment phases. The first phase of treatment focuses on establishing warmth in your relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their parents, and good about themselves. The skills taught in the first phase of PCIT are similar to those used by play therapists—giving you the tools to provide your child with the “dose” of therapeutic connection they need. In the second phase of PCIT, you’ll learn effective, consistent discipline strategies to help manage challenging behaviors while continuing to strengthen your relationship with your child.

Family of three playing with colorful building blocks on the floor in a cozy living room.

More info

If you’d like to learn more about PCIT, check out the official PCIT website: https://www.pcit.org/

Note: I do not rent an office with a two-way mirror. I recommend that if you are interested in PCIT with me, then the sessions be virtual. Research shows that telehealth is as effective as in person. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to see if your child would be an appropriate fit.

Contact

❊ FAQs

Have Questions?

PCIT is designed for one child to complete the treatment at a time. PCIT is still beneficial for the other children in the house, and caregivers are encouraged to use the skills they’ve learned in PCIT with the other children in the house. Generally, the child with the most pressing needs and symptoms is the best fit, but age and developmental factors play a part. This is something we can talk more about during our consultation.
Yes! Two adults can participate in PCIT at the same time.
There are so many great evidenced based treatments for children, so it can be hard to decide which one is right for your child and your family. Set up a free consultation with me to see if PCIT is a good fit for your family. In general, PCIT is great for children with behavior concerns, anxiety and mood fluctuations, difficulty with transitions, and for caregiver(s) who want to learn new skills.
Something to consider is that PCIT is a huge time commitment for families; it requires caregiver(s) to participate in all sessions and be willing to learn new skills. Additionally, PCIT requires caregiver(s) to complete “homework” about five times a week, for about ten minutes each time. (The large commitment is the secret sauce that helps makes PCIT so effective- you as the caregiver are giving your child the “medicine”).
Yes, PCIT is trauma informed and shown to be an effective treatment for children who have experienced trauma. PCIT is recognized by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN).
Yes- PCIT is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral and emotional challenges. Backed by decades of research, PCIT has been shown to reduce disruptive behaviors, improve parent-child relationships, and deliver results lasting months to years. It's recognized as a "well-supported" intervention by organizations like SAMHSA and the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse.
Research shows that virtual PCIT is just as effective as in-person sessions—and it happens right in your home. Using a secure video platform, I coach you in real-time through headphones while you interact with your child. This allows us to work on skills in the environment where behaviors naturally happen, helping you feel more confident and connected as a caregiver while creating lasting change in your child's behavior.
PCIT sessions are about 50 minutes long.
Weekly sessions are recommended, and PCIT is designed to be a short-term treatment, typically completed within 12 to 20 sessions.
PCIT begins with an intake session where I learn about your family and observe you and your child interacting to identify strengths and growth areas. In the following session, I’ll teach you the skills for the first phase (your child doesn’t need to attend teaching sessions). Then, we’ll move into live coaching sessions where I guide you in real time. Once those skills are mastered, we’ll repeat the process for phase two. After both phases are complete, your family will graduate from PCIT with stronger connection, improved behavior, and lasting tools for success.
Yes! PCIT has been shown to be effective for children with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and a range of behavioral concerns. It supports both the child and caregiver in building stronger relationships and improving behavior over time.
Yes- I completed my training in January of 2025. Here is a link to the PCIT provider directory: https://www.pcit.org/find-a-provider?selected=62304104
You are not alone! PCIT might be a good fit for your family.

A person displaying this mark has met the certification requirements established by PCIT International to provide PCIT.