(PCIT)
PCIT Therapy is an empirically-supported treatment for conduct-disordered young children that places emphasis on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent-child interaction patterns. This treatment is indicated for children with behavioral disorders and families with a substantiated history of physical and verbal abuse. Children as young as 2 can be assisted with this type of specialized therapy. The younger the child is when therapy is initiated, the better the outcome. All main caretakers of the child are required to participate in the therapy.
In PCIT, parents are taught specific skills to establish a nurturing and secure relationship with their child while increasing their child’s pro-social behavior and decreasing negative behavior. This treatment focuses on two basic interactions: Child Directed Interaction (CDI) is similar to play therapy in that parents engage their child in a play situation with the goal of strengthening the parent-child relationship; Parent Directed Interaction (PDI) resembles clinical behavior therapy in that parents learn to use specific behavior management techniques as they play with their child.
PCIT therapy requires a large time commitment from parents. Sessions include assessment sessions, teaching session and coaching sessions. Video cameras are used for observation of parents implementing techniques in the office as well as a two way bluetooth device for providing confidential feedback and direct coaching to the parent. Parents are required to attend therapy alone, other times, they bring their children for implementation of techniques. Homework is a requirement.