Parent Child Interaction Therapy

PCIT in Florida

parent child interaction therapy

what is pcit?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a scientifically proven treatment for children between 2-7 years old. PCIT works by empowering parents to improve a child’s behavior through methods that rely on the parent-child relationship.

In PCIT, the parent is coached in real time in the appropriate strategies. Sessions take place via a remote video platform. Parents wear headphones or earbuds while the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills the parent is learning to manage their child's behavior.

how does pcit work?

During weekly sessions, therapists coach parents in skills such as child-centered play, communication, increasing child compliance, and problem-solving.

Relationship Enhancement

In the first phase of PCIT, parents and children are taught to work together towards common goals. This phase focuses on establishing warmth in your relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their parents, and good about themselves.

Compliance Strategies

In the second phase of PCIT, parents learn effective strategies to manage their child’s behavior through appropriate discipline. This phase equips parents to manage the most challenging of their child's behaviors while remaining confident, calm, and consistent in their approach to discipline.

Learn more about how Parent-Child Interaction Therapy works!

why pcit?

Children treated through PCIT are much more likely to see positive outcomes.

  • strengthened relationship between parent and child

  • increased ability for child to focus and be in the present

  • reduction in negative attention seeking behaviors (tantrums, whining, bossiness)

  • increased social skills

  • increased positive parenting skills

  • virtual therapy also allows us to observe you and your child in your natural environment.

parent child interaction therapy near me

Meet Dr. Kristin Edwards

“I have a passion for helping parents manage disruptive child behaviors so they can feel more confident, calm, and consistent in their approach to discipline, and overall more optimistic about parenting.”

A significant amount of my professional training and experience has been focused on challenging behaviors in young children. It is not uncommon for me to hear parents say, “I love my child, but it’s hard, because everything’s a fight.” I know that a simple diagnosis doesn’t begin to capture the stress a child’s behavior can put on a family, nor does it help families accurately understand their child or know how to effectively help them.

I truly enjoy helping parents understand their child’s behaviors so they are better able to solve behavior problems, and as a result, restore their family’s relationships and sanity.

Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.

— Dr. Kristin Edwards

FAQ

  • PCIT normally lasts 12-20 sessions, although there is no standard time frame for treatment. The exact treatment length will vary based on the needs of the child and family. Treatment is considered complete when a positive parent-child relationship is established and the parent can effectively manage the child’s behavior.

  • The main difference is that in PCIT, parents receive live coaching and feedback while interacting with their child.

  • In order for sessions to be effective, parents must have a phone with wired or bluetooth headset, a separate laptop or tablet, and an internet connection fast enough for video chat.

  • PCIT is typically appropriate for families with children who are between 2 - 7 years old and experience emotional and behavioral problems that are frequent and intense.

  • The reality is improving parenting skills is the most effective way to improve children’s behavior problems. The take home message here is that YOU, the parent, are the most important ingredient to your child’s success.

  • PCIT teaches parents relationship-building skills that are like those used by a play therapist. What differs in PCIT is that we teach you to use these skills with your own child. While a play therapist would only be with your child for about an hour a week, you are with your child far more often than that. If a therapist was to work with just your child for one hour a week without you present, the therapist could improve your child’s behavior for that one hour; however, this would not result in big improvements in your child’s behavior once the therapist returned your child to you.

    You will learn to work together with your child in new and wonderful ways. As you begin to practice these skills, you will naturally begin to use these skills as part of your daily routines with your child. In this way, we have seen many families make positive life-changes through our PCIT program.

  • PCIT changes a child’s behavior by teaching parents new approaches for responding to their child’s actions. During PCIT, parents will learn:

    • How to reinforce good behaviors so they keep happening

    • How to pay less attention to problem behaviors so that they decrease

    • How to help children identify and regulate their emotions

    • How to improve their child’s play and social skills

    • How to decrease hitting or other forms of aggression

    • How to get their child to obey them without yelling

    • How to build a trusting, safe relationship

  • PCIT is recommended by the following organizations:

    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

    • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

    PCIT is considered a best practice for the prevention and treatment of child conduct problems by the following organizations:

    • SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices

    • California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

    • Federal Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Child Welfare Information Gateway

  • There are 40+ years of high-quality research supporting the effectiveness of PCIT.

    • PCIT reduces problem behaviors

    • PCIT reduces parenting stress

    • PCIT reduces sadness/anxiety

    • Gains from PCIT last over time

    • Siblings of children who received PCIT also improve

    • Children’s behavior improves in school

As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child’s behavior is just a part of growing up
or a sign of a bigger issue.

All children are different, and even the most typical child may engage in “problematic” behaviors from time to time, especially when they are tired, stressed or sick; however lots of research has shown that children with behavior problems continue to have these problems unless the family receives effective help. If your child repeatedly engages in inappropriate or unwanted behaviors, consider completing our Parent Child Interaction Therapy consultation form below and one of our PCIT certified psychologists will guide you through the next steps.

Some questions to ask yourself to help determine if your child’s behaviors are problematic:

  • Is the behavior more intense than it should be?

  • Does the duration of the behavior continue after the situation has passed?

  • Is the behavior typical for his/her age level?

  • Is the behavior upsetting to your child or other family members?

  • Does the behavior prevent your child from interacting with friends or performing well in school?

  • Is the behavior inappropriate to the situation?

  • Does the behavior happen for no obvious reason?

  • Does your child avoid important social, school or family activities because of the behavior

  • Have there been any new changes in your child’s life that might affect behavior such as a new teacher, new baby, divorce, increased work travel, or illness?

  • Are other adults who interact with your child suggesting that your child might have some behavior concerns?