Providing Practical and Concrete Solutions
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a 10-20 session individualized parent training intervention that coaches parents specific behavior management techniques as they play with their child.
Click below for a recent article about PCIT:
Who Can Participate?
Children ages 2-12 with the following behavior problems:
• refuses/defies adult requests
• loses temper easily
• annoys others on purpose
• steals things
• destroys things
• starts fights/hurts others
• has difficulty staying seated
• has difficulty playing quietly
• has difficulty taking turns
Caregivers who want a better relationship with their child:
• Parents (including Grandparents and Step-Parents and even those who have been separated from their child)
• Foster parents
• Adoptive parents
• Legal guardians
• Residential caregiver staff
PCIT is fun for both the parent and child!
How Does PCIT Work?
PCIT is an exceptionally effective treatment backed by 20+ years of research. Live coaching is the primary method of caregiver training in PCIT. Caregivers are coached in specific play therapy and positive discipline skills by the therapist through an earpiece while the therapist observes the caregiver and child.
Recognition as an Evidence-Based Practice
Based on systematic reviews of available research and evaluation studies, several groups of experts and Federal agencies have highlighted PCIT as a model program or promising treatment practice, including:
The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (2006)
PCAT
PCAT, or Parent-Child Attunement Therapy is a modification of PCIT and is currently being evaluated by UC Davis for treatment effectiveness. It is designed to treat children ages 12 months- 2 years. The typical course of treatment lasts about 8-12 weeks. The goals are:
Enhance relationship between caregiver and child
Decrease symptoms
Reduce caregiver's distress
Increase caregiver's understanding of child development
PCAT is available upon request.
