Therapeutic Services
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Live-coached sessions where you and your child play together while a therapist guides you in real time — strengthening your relationship and improving behavior.
Overview
What is Parent–Child Interaction Therapy?
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is conducted through “coaching” sessions. You and your child are together in a playroom while the therapist observes from an adjacent room through a one-way mirror and live video feed.
Using a discreet earpiece, the therapist coaches you in the moment — helping you respond to your child in ways that build warmth, set effective limits, and reduce challenging behavior. Over time, these skills become second nature and transform everyday interactions at home.
Why families choose us
What this service includes
In-the-moment coaching
The therapist guides you live through a discreet earpiece.
Observation setup
A one-way mirror and live video keep coaching unobtrusive.
Play-based
Skills are built through natural, enjoyable play.
Measurable progress
Sessions track real, observable change over time.
Skills that transfer
What you practice here works at home, too.
Stronger bond
Warmer connection and more cooperative behavior.
The process
What to expect
Assessment
We understand your child’s behavior and your goals.
Relationship phase
You learn skills that build warmth and connection.
Discipline phase
You practice calm, consistent, effective limits.
Graduation
Skills become second nature and carry into daily life.
Questions
Frequently asked Questions
What ages is PCIT for?
PCIT is generally designed for young children and their caregivers. We can discuss whether it is a good fit during intake.
How does the coaching work?
You and your child are in the playroom while the therapist observes from another room and coaches you through an earpiece in real time.
How long does PCIT take?
It is progress-based rather than a fixed number of sessions, and continues until skills are mastered and goals are met.
Let’s find the right path for your family
Our team will help you understand referrals, scheduling, and what to expect — with care and zero judgment.
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
PCIT is an evidence-based treatment for young children with behavioral problems. PCIT is conducted through “coaching” sessions during which you and your child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room watching you interact with your child through a one-way mirror and/or live video feed. You wear a “bug-in-the-ear” device through which the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills you are learning to manage your child’s behavior.
PCIT is done across two treatment phases. The first phase of treatment 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.
Desired outcomes of the first phase of treatment in PCIT include:
- Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of tantrums
- Decreased activity levels
- Decreased negative attention-seeking behaviors (such as whining and bossiness)
- Decreased parental frustration
- Increased feelings of security, safety, and attachment to the primary caregiver
- Increased attention span
- Increased self-esteem
- Increased pro-social behaviors (such as sharing and taking turns)
Desired outcomes of the second phase of treatment in PCIT include:
- Decreased frequency, severity, and/or duration of aggressive behavior
- Decreased frequency of destructive behavior (such as breaking toys on purpose)
- Decreased defiance
- Increased compliance with adult requests
- Increased respect for house rules
- Improved behavior in public
- Increased parental calmness and confidence during discipline
Suggested Toys for CDI
- Building Blocks
- Legos
- Tinker Toys
- Magnetic Blocks
- Lincoln Logs
- Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head
- Crayons and Paper
- Chalkboard and Colored Chalk
- Erector Set
- Play Sets such as Farms, Houses, Grages
Toys to Avoid During CDI
Additional FTTC Services to Boost PCIT Results
PCIT works fastest when parents also have support for their own stress and communication. Consider:
Individual Counseling
Space for caregivers to unpack stress, trauma, or burnout so PCIT coaching sticks.
Group Counseling
Practice calm-body, calm-voice skills and share strategies with other parents.
Family & Couples Therapy
Align caregiving styles, reduce conflict, and create consistent follow-through across households.
Forward-Facing Trauma Therapy
Practical, future-oriented techniques that help parents regulate and coach effectively at home.
Virtual Reality Therapy
Child-friendly, therapist-guided practice for tolerating stressful settings (stores, classrooms, waiting rooms).
Build your PCIT toolkit—ask about a coordinated FTTC + TTS plan.