Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment designed to strengthen the parent-child relationship while addressing difficult behaviors in young children, typically between the ages of 2 and 7. Developed by psychologist Dr. Sheila Eyberg, PCIT helps parents learn practical, real-time strategies for promoting positive behavior and managing challenging ones all while deepening emotional connection. Using a unique setup where child therapists at Anchor Therapy coach parents during play sessions, PCIT allows caregivers to apply new skills immediately and confidently, creating lasting change within the family dynamic!
At the heart of PCIT is the belief that strong, healthy parent-child relationships are the foundation for emotional and behavioral development. Through its two-phase model- Child-Directed Interaction (CDI) and Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)- parents learn to foster warmth, trust, and effective communication while also setting consistent boundaries. Check out our blog “6 Ways to Set Boundaries and Enforce Them.” As a result, children often become more cooperative and emotionally secure, and parents report feeling more in control and connected. By rebuilding relationships through guided interaction, PCIT not only reduces behavioral issues but also brings families closer together.
Anchor Therapy is a counseling center in Hoboken, NJ with mental health therapists specialized in helping children, teens, adults, couples, and families with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, life transitions, and more. Anchor Therapy is accepting new clients and is now providing in-person sessions and teletherapy sessions to residents of New Jersey, New York, and Florida.
What does PCIT look like?
PCIT is a structured and engaging therapeutic process that brings parents and young children into a shared space where both behavior and relationships are addressed simultaneously. A typical PCIT session involves the parent and child playing together in a specially designed room, while the therapist observes. The PCIT therapist coaches the parent in real time, offering immediate, supportive feedback on how to respond to their child’s behavior. This live coaching model is a unique feature of PCIT and helps parents apply new skills effectively and confidently, right in the moment.
What are the benefits of PCIT therapy?
Improves the parent-child relationship
Reduces problem behaviors (Check out our blog “5 Ways to Help Your Children with Behavioral Issues in School”)
Enhances parenting skills
Boosts parental confidence (Read our blog “The Ultimate Guide to Building Self-Confidence”)
Promotes positive behavior
Teaches consistency and structure
Live coaching for real-time learning
Lasting results
Customizable and measurable
Evidence-based and widely respected
The therapy is divided into two distinct phases: CDI and PDI. During CDI, the focus is on strengthening the parent-child bond through positive attention and child-led play. Parents are taught to use “PRIDE” skills- Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, and show Enthusiasm- to encourage cooperation and reduce negative attention-seeking behaviors. They also learn to avoid commands, questions, and criticism during this phase to help build a more trusting, secure relationship. The goal is for the child to feel heard, valued, and connected to their parent, laying the foundation for emotional regulation and behavioral change.
What are the goals of the CDI phase of PCIT?
Strengthen the parent-child bond
Increase positive attention
Promote child’s self-esteem (Check out our blog “Do You Understand Your Self-Esteem?”)
Improve parent’s observational skills
Reduce negative attention-seeking
Teach effective communication skills
Establish a calm interaction style
Lay the foundation for discipline
Once parents master CDI skills and the parent-child relationship shows improvement, therapy shifts to the PDI phase. In PDI, the emphasis moves to discipline and structure. Parents learn how to give clear, direct commands and use consistent consequences (like time-outs) in response to noncompliance or aggression. They are coached on staying calm and predictable which helps children feel safe even when limits are being set. This phase empowers parents to manage difficult behaviors more effectively and to feel more confident and in control, reducing household stress and improving overall family dynamics. View our blog “How to Decide if Family Counseling is the Right Fit For You.”
What are the goals of the PDI phase of PCIT?
Teach effective discipline strategies
Increase child compliance
Establish consistent boundaries
Reduce defiant and aggressive behavior
Enhance parental authority
Improve emotional regulation in children (Read our blog “How to Regulate Your Emotions”)
Strengthen parent consistency and follow-through
Support a positive home environment
Throughout the PCIT process, progress is carefully monitored using standardized assessments and therapist observations. Sessions continue weekly until parents demonstrate mastery of the skills in both CDI and PDI, and until the child’s behavior has improved significantly. On average, PCIT lasts between 12 to 20 sessions, but it is always customized to each family’s needs! By combining emotional connection with effective discipline, PCIT not only reduces disruptive behavior but also strengthens the parent-child bond in a way that is both sustainable and deeply rewarding.
What are the techniques of PCIT therapy?
PCIT uses a set of well-defined, research-based techniques designed to improve both child behavior and the quality of the parent-child relationship. One of the foundational techniques is the use of PRIDE skills during the CDI phase. PRIDE stands for Praise, Reflect, Imitate, Describe, and show Enthusiasm. These techniques help parents become more attuned to their child’s behavior and emotional needs during play. For example, labeled praise ("I love how gently you are playing with your toys!") reinforces specific positive behaviors while reflection and description show the child that the parent is actively listening and engaged. Imitation and enthusiasm help the parent enter the child’s world and promote a warm, supportive atmosphere.
Another core technique in CDI is the selective ignoring of inappropriate behaviors that are attention-seeking but not dangerous. Parents are taught to withhold attention from whining, interrupting, or minor tantrums during playtime while continuing to reinforce positive behaviors. This shifts the child’s motivation toward gaining positive attention through cooperation and self-regulation. By avoiding criticism, commands, and questions during CDI, parents allow their child to take the lead which builds confidence and strengthens the emotional bond between them.
In the PDI phase, the techniques shift to focus on structure, consistency, and discipline. Parents learn to give clear, direct commands using calm, simple language and eye contact, such as "Please put the toy in the box." If the child complies, the parent uses praise to reinforce it. If not, the parent follows a consistent discipline protocol which may include time-out or removal of privileges. A key technique here is maintaining calm, neutral affect- parents are coached not to react with anger or frustration, but to respond with consistency and predictability. This teaches the child that boundaries are firm and safe and helps them develop emotional regulation skills.
Throughout both phases, real-time coaching is a distinctive and essential PCIT technique. The PCIT therapist observes sessions while communicating with the parent. This allows the therapist to guide the parent moment-to-moment- offering suggestions, corrections, and encouragement based on the child’s behavior. This in-the-moment feedback accelerates skill-building and builds the parent’s confidence, helping them apply techniques effectively in everyday situations. Over time, as parents demonstrate mastery of these techniques and the child's behavior improves, therapy gradually comes to a close, often leaving families stronger, more connected, and better equipped to handle future challenges.
What is the discipline of PCIT therapy?
Discipline in PCIT is a key component designed to teach parents how to set clear, consistent boundaries while maintaining a warm and supportive relationship with their child. Unlike traditional punitive discipline methods, PCIT discipline focuses on using positive reinforcement alongside structured consequences to encourage compliance and lessen problematic behaviors. The goal is to help children understand expectations and limits within a calm, predictable environment which supports emotional regulation and fosters cooperation.
During the PDI phase of PCIT, parents learn how to deliver clear and simple commands, such as “Please put your toys away,” using a calm and firm tone. It is important that commands are direct and age-appropriate so the child understands exactly what is expected. If the child complies within a set timeframe (usually 5 seconds), the parent immediately follows up with positive praise like, “Great job listening!” This positive reinforcement strengthens the behavior parents want to see more of, encouraging the child to cooperate consistently.
When the child does not comply or engages in defiant behavior, PCIT teaches parents to use a consistent and brief consequence, typically a time-out, to discourage noncompliance. The time-out is not meant as punishment but as a clear and calm signal that certain behaviors are unacceptable. The process involves calmly instructing the child to sit in a designated time-out spot for a brief period- usually one minute per year of age (e.g., three minutes for a three-year-old). Parents are coached to avoid emotional reactions such as yelling or arguing, maintaining a neutral tone to avoid escalating the situation.
For example, if a child refuses to clean up their toys after a clear instruction, the parent might say, “You need to put your toys away now, or it will be time for a time-out.” If the child still refuses, the parent calmly follows through by guiding the child to the time-out spot and timing the minute calmly. After the time-out, the parent welcomes the child back without anger and encourages them to comply with the original request. This consistent follow-through helps children learn that rules are firm but delivered with love and respect.
Overall, the discipline in PCIT balances warmth with structure, ensuring that children feel secure even when limits are set. Parents are empowered with the skills to manage challenging behaviors without harsh punishment or permissiveness. This disciplined approach is designed to improve behavior sustainably while preserving the parent-child relationship, creating a healthier family dynamic built on trust, respect, and clear expectations.
Is PCIT the same as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?
PCIT and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) are both evidence-based approaches rooted in behavioral psychology, but they are not the same and serve different purposes.
PCIT is a specialized form of therapy primarily designed to improve the parent-child relationship and manage disruptive behaviors in young children, typically ages 2 to 7. It combines play therapy with behavior management strategies and involves real-time coaching of parents to help them interact more positively and effectively with their children.
In contrast, ABA is a broader, more comprehensive behavioral approach often used to support individuals with developmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ABA focuses on teaching specific skills and reducing problematic behaviors through structured interventions based on reinforcement principles. It can be applied across a wide range of settings- home, school, and community- and covers areas like communication, self-care, academics, and social skills. While ABA can include parent training, the focus is usually on the child’s behavior and learning rather than the quality of the parent-child relationship.
The key difference lies in their goals and methods: PCIT centers on enhancing the emotional bond between parent and child while teaching parents to manage behavior through relationship-building and consistent discipline. ABA, on the other hand, is more individualized for behavior change across multiple domains and often involves one-on-one sessions with a trained behavior therapist. Both are valuable and evidence-based, but they are not interchangeable and are typically used for different clients and treatment goals.
Is PCIT gentle parenting?
PCIT shares some key principles with gentle parenting- such as emphasizing emotional connection, respectful communication, and reducing harsh discipline- but it is not the same thing. Gentle parenting is a parenting philosophy that focuses on empathy, understanding, and guiding rather than punishing children. PCIT, while also relationship-focused, is a structured, evidence-based therapy designed to address behavioral issues using specific, goal-oriented techniques. It combines warmth and connection with consistent boundaries and consequences, all backed by clinical research. For more information, check out our blog “What Is My Parenting Style?”.
In the CDI phase of PCIT, the approach closely aligns with gentle parenting principles: parents follow the child’s lead, offer praise, reflect their child’s words, and avoid commands or criticism. This helps build trust, strengthen attachment, and promote emotional security- core values in both PCIT and gentle parenting. However, in the PDI phase, PCIT introduces firm limit-setting, including the use of time-outs for noncompliance. While this might differ from how some gentle parenting advocates approach discipline, it is done calmly, consistently, and without shame or punitive tactics.
So while PCIT is not classified as "gentle parenting," it offers a balanced approach- combining the nurturing elements of gentle parenting with proven behavior management strategies. For families looking to build strong emotional connections and improve discipline in a structured, supportive way, PCIT can be a highly effective and compassionate option!
PCIT offers a powerful blend of connection and discipline that helps families grow stronger together. By teaching parents effective skills to nurture and guide their children, PCIT creates lasting positive changes in behavior and relationships.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager, Intake Coordinator, and Community Engagement Director at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark and is currently studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. In her roles, Victoria is committed to managing the office’s social media/community presence and prioritizing clients' needs.
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