Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an intensive therapy aimed at improving behavior by promoting positive parent-child relationships. It uses in-the-moment, experience-based methods, and coaching. PCIT helps parents more effectively manage their child’s behaviors, helps children be more cooperative, and improves the quality of parent-child relationships. This therapy is also effective in reducing the severity of trauma symptoms and helps children learn to regulate their emotions and behavior better. During a PCIT coaching session, a therapist will watch you and your child interact through a one-mirror and/or live video feed. You will wear an earbud device allowing the therapist to provide in-the-moment coaching on skills that help you manage your child’s behavior.
PCIT is Appropriate for Children Who:
- Are between the ages of 2 and 8 years
- Are at risk of losing school or daycare placement due to behavior
- Have frequent tantrums or aggressive behavior
- Have disruptions in the parent-child relationship (ex: were in foster care)
- Refuse to follow directions
- Display defiance, sassing, teasing
- Caregivers need support with increasing their confidence and consistency
- Caregivers speak English
- Are currently in foster care (treatment can be conducted with birth, foster, or adoptive parents)
PCIT is on the State of Oregon's list of Evidence-Based Practices. To refer children and families, call Family and Youth and ask for "PCIT Treatment".
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) information (DOC)