Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): Strengthening Your Relationship and Supporting Your Child’s Growth
At the CFCC, we know that kids don’t come with an instruction manual! Even young children can face challenges managing their emotions and behaviors. That’s why we offer Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment designed to help parents build stronger, more positive relationships with their children while addressing emotional and behavioral struggles.
What is PCIT?
PCIT is a highly effective therapy for children ages 2-6 with behavioral and emotional issues. Through this unique therapy, you’ll receive real-time coaching as you interact with your child. During sessions, you and your child will be in a playroom while our therapist observes through a live video feed from an adjacent room. Using a “bug-in-the-ear” device, the therapist will guide you on effective parenting techniques to help manage your child’s behavior in the moment.
With regular attendance and homework completion, PCIT typically takes between 12-20 sessions to complete.
How PCIT Works:
PCIT is structured around two key phases to ensure lasting change and improvement in your child’s behavior.
- Phase One: Building a Strong, Supportive Relationship
- This phase focuses on establishing a warm and nurturing bond with your child. You’ll learn specific skills that promote emotional regulation, calmness, and self-esteem in your child. With these tools, you’ll foster a secure and positive relationship with your child.
- Phase Two: Effective Discipline and Behavior Management
- In this phase, you’ll gain strategies to handle challenging behaviors while staying calm, confident, and consistent. You’ll learn techniques that encourage your child to accept limits, follow directions, respect family rules, and behave appropriately in public settings.
When is Treatment Complete?
PCIT is considered complete when both you and your child demonstrate mastery of the skills taught during therapy, and your child’s behavior is rated within normal limits on a standardized behavior rating scale.
Dr. Megan Blonder and Alyssa Buron are certified PCIT providers.
Alexandria Hudson & Harrison Drew have completed the certification training but have not yet completed their certification exam.
While PCIT is our primary treatment approach, our skilled clinicians integrate a range of evidence-based techniques tailored to meet the specific needs of your family.
Why Choose PCIT?
PCIT has been shown to significantly improve parent-child relationships and help children develop better emotional regulation and behavior. It’s an empowering therapy that provides you with the tools to navigate the ups and downs of parenting with confidence and consistency.
Ready to learn more? Click here for detailed information about the PCIT program.
Ready to schedule an intake appointment? Click here to contact us or click here to fill out our general interest form!