Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is short-term, specialized behavior management program designed for young children experiencing behavioral and/ or emotional difficulties and their families. PCIT works with the child and caregiver together to improve overall behavior and to reduce parenting stress.

Goals of PCIT

• Improve the parent/caregiver-child relationship
• Improve children’s minding and listening skills
• Increase children’s ability to manage frustration and anger
• Increase children’s social skills
• Improve children’s attention skills
• Improve parents’ use of appropriate discipline strategies
• Help parents set developmentally-appropriate expectations for their child

Deciding if PCIT is appropriate for a family…

• PCIT is designed for young children between the ages of 2 and 7 years
• PCIT has been successful with:
  • Children with oppositional/defiant problems
  • Children with aggressive behaviors
  • Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Children experiencing adjustment problems
  • Children impacted by substance abuse
  • Children in foster care
• PCIT requires a 14-20 week commitment by the parent/caregiver and child with one or more sessions per week
• PCIT is not appropriate for non-custodial caregivers unless they are able to see the child at least three times per week in addition to their weekly PCIT session