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Parent Child Interaction Therapy

 

Would you like more cooperative family interactions and better behavior from your child? Are you concerned about your child's defiance, anger, tantrums, whining, hyperactivity, or controlling behaviors? Are you tired of the power struggles

around morning routines, getting to school, homework, mealtime, bedtime? You have come to the right place. PCIT has been extensively researched and proven to effectively decrease children's disruptive behaviors, improve listening, and strengthen family relationships.  

 

Through a hearing device and a one way mirror, we coach parents in the moment on PCIT techniques designed to nurture the parent-child attachment, increase children's compliance, and reduce parenting stress.  When behavioral problems emerge, the therapist coaches the parent in real time, suggesting words to say and actions to take.  The parent learns how to diffuse their child's anger, redirect hyperactivity, to set effective limits, and to foster cooperation and loving family interactions. We empower parents to bring out the best in their child, to honor themselves as parents, and to nurture and truly enjoy their family. 

Listen Here: How Parent Child Interaction Therapy Strengthens the Family Relationship with Dr. Karrie Lager

PCIT helps with
 

  • Better listening

  • More calm, focused behavior

  • Improved cooperation and teamwork

  • Gentle behavior

  • Increased self-confidence

  • Improved sibling and peer relationships

  • Easier mealtimes, morning times, bedtime routines

  • Smoother transitions

  • More smiling, affection, and family closeness 

Who is right for PCIT?

 

In PCIT, we work with parents who would like extra hands on support to foster their children's social and emotional health.  We work with children struggling with typical tantrums and defiance to those children exhibiting more severe oppositional behaviors, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and aggression.  PCIT can be effective for children with tantrums, whining, oppositional behaviors, defiance, ADHD, and High Functioning Autism.  We work with biological and adoptive families.  If you would like, we can also teach your child's grandparents, nanny, or teachers the same powerful tools so that everyone is working as a team. 

What age is ideal for PCIT?

 

The PCIT program has been researched and designed for children ages 2 to 8 years old and their parents.   Younger children ages 12 months to 24 months and their parents can participate in Parent Child Attunement Therapy (PCAT).  For older children, your therapist may incorporate some of the PCIT skills into traditional family therapy sessions and/or parent consultations. 

 

 

How long is PCIT treatment? 

 

Typically, PCIT families complete treatment after about 14-20 coaching sessions.  Studies have shown that PCIT significantly reduces children's disruptive behaviors, reduces parenting stress, & improves the quality of parent-child interactions. According to research, PCIT treatment gains are largely maintained at least 6 years after treatment completion. 

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