Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Effective Behavior Management and Supportive Coaching

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a specialized behavior management program for children ages two to seven and their families. PCIT is most appropriate for children who demonstrate excessive or developmentally inappropriate behavioral and/or emotional difficulties, including behaviors that are often associated with trauma. Through live coaching, parents/caregivers work together to implement skills designed to help children reach their full potential.

The average length of treatment is 12-20 weekly, hour-long sessions. PCIT is typically delivered in clinic settings, such as community agencies and outpatient clinics. This treatment has also been successfully delivered in alternate settings, such as in-home services.

Trauma-Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a specialized behavior management program for children ages two to six and their families. PCIT is most appropriate for children who demonstrate excessive or developmentally inappropriate behavioral and/or emotional difficulties, including behaviors that are often associated with trauma. Through live coaching, parents/caregivers work together to implement skills designed to help children reach their full potential.

PCIT: Virtual Site Visit

PCIT: CDI Coaching

PCIT Outcomes

Decreased problematic behaviors, such as defiance and aggression
Reduced recidivism of child maltreatment
Improved behaviors at home and school

Improved parent-child relationships
Increased social skills and cooperation
Increased attention
Decreased parental stress

Criteria for PCIT Training Eligibility

PCIT is a good fit for clinicians who have a particular interest in working with the two to seven year old age range. Clinicians interested in PCIT should be comfortable with a behaviorally-based style of therapy as well as a fast-paced, verbally directive approach with caregivers in sessions. Strong family and client engagement skills and good organizational and time management skills are also a plus.

Is PCIT Right for Me?

Are you a clinician considering applying to a PCIT Learning Collaborative? This self-assessment can help you gain a better understanding of characteristics that are common in our most successful PCIT trainees. This is simply meant to be a tool for self-reflection and not a way to screen clinicians out. If you have questions about this, or if you are wondering if you might be a good fit for the model before you apply, please reach out to our team.

PCIT Clinician Self-Assessment

Training Requirements

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Learning Collaboratives train teams from community based mental health agencies. Our model relies on clinicians training together with an administrative leader from their agency to ensure successful implementation and sustainability.

PCIT Learning Collaboratives include seven in-person training days with bi-weekly clinical consultation calls between training dates and video review of up to 10 clinical sessions. In order to graduate, clinicians must complete a full course of PCIT with at least two clients.

PCIT Return on Investment

In the United States, 61% of children are affected by violence, abuse or crime, putting them at increased risk for depression, academic problems, violent behavior, substance use, delinquency, teen pregnancy and other emotional-behavioral challenges. Lifetime costs of childhood maltreatment are estimated at $210,012 per case.

PCIT has shown a benefit-cost ratio of $2.29 and a 79% chance of benefits exceeding costs for children with disruptive behaviors and a benefit-cost ratio of $12.99 with a 94% chance of benefits exceeding costs for children in the child welfare system.

Is PCIT Right for Your Agency?

PCIT is a good fit for agencies with regular referrals for two- to seven-year-olds experiencing behavioral and/or emotional difficulties. The agency should have the ability to invest in space and technology needed for PCIT sessions as well as agency-level support for clinicians in training, including protected time and clinical resources. Ideal agency has leadership and staff who are committed to evidence-based and evidence-informed treatments.

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