“The kids who need the most love

may ask for it in the most unloving ways.”

-Russel Barkley

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

 What is PCIT Therapy?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (or PCIT) is a short-term, evidence-based therapy for kids who have trouble with following directions, low frustration tolerance, tantrums, and/or disruptive behavior. In PCIT, parents learn how to communicate with their child in a therapeutic way, and successfully help them learn to follow directions using a calm voice. By practicing the skills, parents are able to build-up their children’s self esteem, frustration tolerance, and compliance, as well as feel more confident in their own ability to navigate challenging behaviors at home. PCIT-certified therapists provide live coaching for parents through a “bug-in-the-ear” system, and serve as a supportive guide for how to respond to a child’s negative behaviors. Most families need 12 to 20 coaching sessions to graduate and bring the child’s behavior back into an acceptable range.

A person displaying this mark has met the certification requirements established by PCIT International to provide PCIT.

PCIT Therapy | Mother and Son Play Blocks
PCIT Therapy | Child Behavior Problems | Parent Stress

 Who is PCIT Therapy for?

  • Difficulty taking turns

  • Breaking or damaging property

  • Easily annoyed or angered

  • Being spiteful or vindictive

  • Purposefully annoying others

  • Blaming others for their mistakes

  • Oppositional behavior or defiance

  • Difficulty staying seated & playing quietly

PCIT was designed for children ages 2 to 7 years old, but the approach can be tailored for some children up to age 11. PCIT has been proven effective for children with any of the following challenges:

  • Difficulty following directions the first time asked

  • Relationship challenges with parent

  • Emotional dysregulation/ tantrums

  • Low frustration tolerance

PCIT Therapy California, North Carolina, PSYPACT | PCIT Effect Size Visual

How do we know PCIT works?

PCIT is supported by over 50 years of research that has shown it is a superior treatment method for child behavior concerns. Comparisons of PCIT to other common therapies (see graph to the right), have proven that PCIT has much greater effects on child behavior, double that of ADHD medication! When a family graduates PCIT, research shows that the child’s behavior improvements last over time, extend to the school setting, and untreated siblings’ behavior improves, as well. For more research and information on PCIT, click here for the PCIT International website.

Virtual PCIT Therapy | Mother and Daughter Smiling with Laptop

Telehealth-Delivered PCIT

Technology has afforded us the opportunity to provide PCIT in the comfort and convenience of your own home! All you need is a laptop or tablet and headphones (preferably wireless), and Dr. Stutz will coach you using her teleconferencing program. Internet PCIT (or I-PCIT) has been documented in the research to be as or even more effective than in-office PCIT. When parents are coached using toys and space they already have in the home, they may feel more able to practice the skills outside of coaching sessions. Children may also show their true behaviors more readily in the home environment than in the office. Using the toys you already have at home, Dr. Stutz will guide you through setting up the space to make the most of your PCIT coaching sessions!