PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION
THERAPY (PCIT)
PCIT is an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems. PCIT is conducted through "coaching" sessions during which you and your child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room 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.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has been proven by numerous studies to be an effective therapy with children and families. Through Parent-Child Interaction Therapy children experience a significant reduction in oppositional behavior and the relationship between caregivers and child is enhanced. Often children who previously met criteria for a diagnosis of ODD Oppositional Defiant Disorder no longer meet criteria for this diagnosis following treatment.
HOW DOES PCIT HELP?
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Building positive parent-child interactions,
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Developing positive child-rearing strategies
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Reducing the likelihood of child physical and verbal abuse
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Reducing child behavior issues (anger, aggression, defiance, etc.)
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Increasing communication and interaction skills within the family
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not listening and minding parents/defiance
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tantrums/"melt downs"
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overly aggressive behavior such as biting, kicking, or hitting care givers or other children
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family conflict
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attention problems at home and/or school
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episodes of sadness, tearfulness, irritability or depression
OMMON ISSUES
ADDRESSED

POTENTIAL
BENEFITS
OF PCIT
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Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of aggressive behavior
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Decreased frequency of destructive behavior (such as breaking toys on purpose)
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Decreased defiance
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Increased compliance with adult requests
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Increased respect for house rules
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Improved behavior in public
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Increased parental calmness and confidence during discipline
HOW IS
PCIT
DIFFERENT?
Many behavior parent training programs teach similar parenting skills, PCIT differs from other programs because it:
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emphasizes in-session parent practice of skills
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parents receive live coaching and feedback related to skills
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parents are required to master specific parenting skills
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PCIT is not session-limited.
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Graduation is based on parent demonstration of mastery of skills
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Parents rate children's behavior problems as within normal limits before treatment graduation.