Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
PCIT stands for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, and is the gold-standard, evidence-based treatment for behavioral struggles in young children. The treatment focuses on providing parents with skills to help manage their children’s behaviors and emotions more effectively. PCIT utilizes in-the-moment parent coaching to help parents develop these skills. During sessions, parents will engage in play activities with their children, while receiving live coaching from the therapist via a two way mirror and earpiece. PCIT is suitable for children ages 2-6, who are struggling with behavior and defiance issues. PCIT typically lasts between 12-20 sessions, and is broken down into two parts:
Benefits of PCIT:
- Increases warmth and connection within the parent-child relationship
- Develops positive child-rearing strategies
- Reduces child behavior issues (anger, aggression, defiance, etc.)
- Increases communication and interaction skills within the family
- Decreases parental stress levels
Increases child and parent self-esteem
Part 1: The therapist will provide parents with education and coach them in using positive parenting techniques.
Part 2: The therapist will help parents set limits, conduct timeouts, and give effective commands.
Common Childhood Struggles Addressed by PCIT:
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Acting defiantly and/or refusing to follow directions
- Backtalk
- Trouble adjusting to new situations or environments
- Constantly seeking attention
- Interrupting others
- Short attention span
- Engaging in power struggles with parents/caregivers
- Difficulty behaving in school, preschool, and/or daycare
Aggressive behaviors: hitting or throwing things
For more information on PCIT you may visit http://www.pcit.org