Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

No two parents are alike and no two children are the same. There is no single method of parenting advice that generalizes to all situations. At Young Sky Counseling, you’ll find personalized support in your parenting.

At Young Sky Counseling, I offer personalized support in your parenting. Parent Child Interaction Therapy - also known as PCIT - is an evidence-based treatment program designed for caregivers and their young children (2 to 7 years old) who are experiencing social, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties. PCIT is guidance therapy that strives to keep children on the right path, offered alongside you the parent in a positive way that resists any temptation to be punitive. The approach is tailored to your families’ specific goals and challenges.

PCIT focuses on the present… We do not dwell on past approaches or parenting decisions…the goal is to learn and change.

You’ll learn sound parenting skills and useful tools designed to specifically work within your family and its’ unique relational patterns. You’ll receive detailed coaching on handling and positively adjusting your child’s individual behavioral challenges and their impact on your family dynamic in the moment. PCIT is a very specific therapy approach and should only be provided by professionals who have completed the required training and certification.

PCIT is regarded by national expert panels as a gold standard treatment for children who have any of the following:

  • Frequent temper tantrums

  • Defiance - refusing to follow directions

  • Verbal and/or mild physical aggression

  • Destruction of toys and/or family belongings

  • Backtalk or sassing adults

  • Sibling conflict

  • Whining or crying for no apparent reason

  • Constant seeking attention

  • Hyperactivity

  • Interrupting others

  • Short attention span

  • Difficulty with behaviors at school, preschool, and/or daycare

PCIT Therapy Structure

PCIT therapy is implemented in two phases: (1) the Child-Directed Interaction Phase (CDI) where parents develop child-centered interaction skills to enhance the parent-child relationship; and (2) the Parent-Directed Interaction Phase (PDI) where caregivers learn additional behavior management skills. PCIT gives equal attention to the enhancement of the parent-child relationship, and the development of caregivers' behavior management skills.

During the first phase of PCIT therapy (the Child-Directed Interaction Phase), the golden rule is for the caregivers to "follow the child's lead." Children are encouraged to lead the play activity while their caregivers follow along using the PRIDE skills. The CDI Phase of PCIT aims to enhance the parent-child relationship by maximizing positive communication, attention, and imitation during child-led play. 

In the second phase of PCIT therapy (the Parent-Directed Interaction Phase), caregivers learn to use effective commands and implement additional behavior management strategies for any remaining challenging behaviors (e.g., aggression, destruction). The overall goal for PDI is to create a supportive home environment by helping caregivers become consistent, predictable, and follow through with behavior management skills. Click here for more detailed information on the PDI Phase of PCIT.

Effectiveness of PCIT

Over the past 5 decades, Parent Child Interaction Therapy has been scientifically tested in over 300 research studies and the results of those studies have been published in the top journals within the field of psychology. Click here to access PCIT Research.

Empirical research has consistently demonstrated that PCIT therapy has resulted in a wide range of improvements for families, including but definitely not limited to, the following:

  • Increased feelings of security, safety, and attachment with caregiver(s)

  • Increased attention span

  • Increased self-esteem

  • Increased pro-social behaviors (sharing, taking turns)

  • Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of tantrums

  • Decreased hyperactivity

  • Decreased negative attention-seeking behaviors (whining, bossiness)

  • Decreased caregiver frustration

  • Increased compliance with adult (caregivers, teachers) requests

  • Increased caregiver confidence (and decreased stress)

  • Improved behavior at home, and in public

  • Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of aggressive behavior

  • Decreased frequency of destructive behavior

  • Decreased defiance