Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Online PCIT is an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems.
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
is an evidence-based, highly effective treatment for children ages 2-7 years old.
What is PCIT?
-
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy changes a child’s behavior by teaching parents and caregivers new approaches for responding to their child’s actions. During PCIT, parents/caregivers will learn:
How to reinforce good behaviors so they keep happening
How to pay less attention to problem behaviors so that they decrease
How to help children identify and regulate their emotions
How to improve their child’s play and social skills
How to decrease hitting or other forms of aggression
How to get their child to obey them without yelling
How to build a trusting, safe relationship
-
PCIT is recommended by the following organizations:
This Gold-Standard treatment is considered a best practice for the prevention and treatment of child conduct problems and child maltreatment by the following organizations:
SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices,
Federal Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Child Welfare Information Gateway
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/parents/essentials/toddlersandpreschoolers/resources/references.html
Child Welfare: https://www.childwelfare.gov/resources/parent-child-interaction-therapyprimer-child-welfare-professionals/
SAMHSA
-
There are 40+ years of high-quality research supporting the effectiveness of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy:
PCIT reduces problem behaviors
PCIT reduces parenting stress
PCIT reduces sadness/anxiety
Gains from PCIT last over time
Siblings of children who received PCIT also improve
Children’s behavior improves in school
Can PCIT help my child in school?
How do I know if PCIT is right for my family?
Parent Child Interaction Therapy is helpful to families struggling with a range of behavioral concerns.
Children with oppositional behaviors
Children who can’t control their emotions
Children diagnosed with attention problems
Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children getting in trouble at school/daycare
Children who are going through changes in the family (for example, new sibling)
Children who have experienced traumatic events
Children with low self-esteem
Children who are anxious
Children who are struggling socially
Start Virtual Therapy with PCIT
Written by Dr. Leah Clionsky, Ph.D.
Dr. Leah Clionsky is a licensed clinical psychologist, Level II Regional PCIT Trainer in Texas, and founder of PCIT Experts. She trained under Dr. Sheila Eyberg, the psychologist who developed PCIT, and led the first randomized controlled trial of PCIT for children with autism. She has guided hundreds of families through PCIT across research, clinical, and private practice settings.