Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

PCIT is a specialized type of play therapy for families with children ages 2-7 who have behavioral problems and parent-child relationship challenges. This treatment involves Dr. Emily coaching you on Zoom while you engage with your child in play and discipline scenarios while you have wireless headphone in your ear. PCIT is supported by decades of research by child psychologists.

This treatment targets and improves the frequency and severity of tantrums, aggression/hitting, defiance, and refusal to listen. It also focused on other negative behaviors like whining, attention seeking behavior, hyperactivity, low attention span, low self-esteem, and poor social skills.

We accept Aetna and United insurance & cash pay

Ages 2-7 years

Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics

In home therapy with live coaching via zoom for a total of 12-16 weeks**

Improvements often noticed in ~4 coaching sessions

*depends heavily on parent practice of the home assignments

**Please note that this therapy requires the full treatment program of 12-16+ weeks. If you are not able to commit to this amount of time for any reason, Behavioral Parent Training will be a better fit. Please discuss your specific needs with Dr. Emily, and see Behavioral Parent Training page for more information.

Phases of Treatment

Phase 1: Child Directed Interaction (CDI)

The first phase improves your relationship with your child in a way that improves your child’s behavior. We can increase listening, attention span, whining, playing nicely, keeping hands to self, helpfulness, and completing tasks.

Phase 2: Parent Directed InteractioN (PDI)

The second phase improves your child’s listening when you tell them to do something. We can increase listening, compliance, and the speed at which they complete your requests including morning and bedtime routines.

What do the appointments for PCIT look like?

  • Book your first appointment directly in our calendar using the BOOK NOW button. We will discuss your concerns and develop a treatment plan if appropriate.

    If you have Aetna or United insurance, please send a picture of the front of your insurance card to contact@centerforchildbehavior.com

  • Dr. Emily will conduct an intake interview where she will learn more about the strengths and challenges of our child and family. She uses this information to tailor the program to you.

  • In this appointment, Dr. Emily teaches you the strategies that you will be using in the first phase of PCIT.

  • The first phase of treatment lasts approximately 5 sessions depending on when the family meets criteria to move onto the second phase of treatment. Parent(s) and their child attend these sessions together and the parent receives live coaching from Dr. Emily via Zoom and wireless headphones.

  • Parents attend the second phase teach session where we will discuss in depth the strategies you will learn to implement in this phase including commands/instuctions and the timeout procedure.

  • The length of the second phase of treatment can vary depending on the child’s progress and the family’s deaication to home practice.

    Similar to phase 1, both the parent(s) and their child attend these sessions together and the parent receives live coaching from Dr. Emily via Zoom and wireless headphones.

  • Once families meet graduation criteria, parents and Dr. Emily decide when it is time to end therapy. We are dedicated to getting you results fast!

The search for help ends here.

Book appointment directly in our calendar using the BOOK NOW button above.