Overview of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

PCIT Info

A few years back I created this brief introduction to PCIT to help families get a basic understanding of the modality. I hope it will help you decide if you would like to further explore with me if this program is the right fit for you and your child.

PCIT is conducted through "coaching" sessions during which you and your child are in a playroom (or at your home) while the therapist is in an observation room (or through video telemedicine) watching you interact with your child through a one-way mirror and/or live video feed. You wear a "bug-in-the-ear" device through which the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills you are learning to manage your child's behavior.

It is divided into two sections:

Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)

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.

Desired outcomes of the first phase of treatment in PCIT include:

• 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)

Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)

The second phase of treatment will equip you to manage the most challenging of your child's behaviors while remaining confident, calm, and consistent in your approach to discipline. In this phase, you will learn proven strategies to help your child accept your limits, comply with your directions, respect house rules, and demonstrate appropriate behavior in public.

Desired outcomes of the second phase of treatment in PCIT include:

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

• Decreased frequency of destructive behavior (such as breaking toys on purpose)

• Decreased defiance

• Increased compliance with adult requests

• Increased respect for house rules

• Improved behavior in public

• Increased parental calmness and confidence during discipline

To learn more, check out the International PCIT website

File to download:

About PCIT.pdf

Download PDF • 66KB