How We Treat
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
PCIT is an evidence-based treatment that combines components of attachment, social learning, developmental and behavioral theories.
The ultimate goal of PCIT is to enhance the parent-child relationship by helping caregivers learn ways to relate to their children warmly while also having a predictable and consistent strategy to manage undesired behaviors through limit setting.
Who PCIT Serves
PCIT is designed for families whose children (ages 2 through 7) are experiencing:
- difficulty listening
- difficulty following directions
- regulating emotions
- frequent temper tantrums
- constantly seeking attention
- hyperactivity
PCIT/First Phase
The first phase, Child Directed Interaction (CDI), seeks to strengthen the relationship between parent and child. In CDI parents are introduced to child-centered interactions through the use of PRIDE skills. The PRIDE skills enhance the parent child relationship by incorporating positive communication, praise and side by side child-led play.
PCIT/Second Phase
Once a parent has mastered the PRIDE skills in CDI, parents move into the second phase of treatment, Parent Directed Interaction therapy (PDI). In PDI, parents learn strategies to manage undesired behaviors in their child. Parents will learn how to give effective commands and develop a consistent and predictable time-out routine to decrease undesired behaviors.
How we offer PCIT
Currently, CCG provides PCIT via tele-health. PCIT lends itself to virtual sessions effectively as it allows the therapist to observe the parent-child interactions in their natural environment. PCIT services should only be delivered by Certified PCIT clinicians. The average length of treatment is 12-16 weeks. Many parents begin to see changes in the first phase of treatment. Each phase of PCIT consists of didactic teaching sessions, where caregivers meet with the therapist and are taught the skills of that phase. Teaching phases are then followed by coaching sessions where therapists use a variety of techniques to provide in the moment coaching of skills until mastery is achieved.
Resources
If you are interested in learning more about PCIT, below are some helpful resources of this evidenced-based treatment model:
https://www.pcit.org/what-is-pcit.html
https://www.nctsn.org/interventions/parent-child-interaction-therapy“
