Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, often simply referred to as PCIT, is a specialized, evidence-based treatment for parents or primary caregivers and their young children who are experiencing behavioral and/or emotional concerns. In this form of mental health counseling, the adults can learn and practice new skills and techniques for relating to their children.
What is PCIT used for?
Frequent temper tantrums
Aggression
Decrease children’s frustration
Disruptive behaviors (e.g., tantrums, non-compliance, oppositional behavior, etc.)
Developmental delays
Parent-child relationship issues (e.g., bonding difficulties, strained communication, a lack of warmth/responsiveness, etc.)
Reduce parental stress
Parent confidence
Teaching and reinforcing parental consistency
PCIT was created in the 1980s and 1990s by Dr. Sheila Eyberg who is a psychology researcher and professor at the University of Florida. Dr. Eyberg created PCIT based on behavioral psychology and attachment theory to enhance parent-child relationships and reduce disruptive behaviors in young children.
At the time, she recognized a strong need for parents to be involved in their children’s interventions instead of treating the child in isolation. Real-time coaching and observational techniques are combined in PCIT to help parents learn and apply effective parenting strategies inside and outside of counseling sessions.
PCIT is highly researched and studied to the point that it has become one of the most respected treatments for behavioral concerns in children.
What age is PCIT appropriate for?
The standard age range for PCIT is from two to seven years of age. With that being said, PCIT has adapted over the years, specifically for older children (ages 7 to 10) and toddlers (ages 12 to 24 months).
At Anchor Therapy, our child counselors see children or all ages. For children six or younger, we require at least one parent to be present during counseling sessions.
What is the success rate of parent interaction therapy?
Throughout the course of numerous studies, PCIT has showcased high success rates. For instance, research shows that around 80% of families report major improvements in their child’s behavioral issues after completing PCIT. PCIT not only promotes positive parenting practices, but it also leads to less child behavioral problems, parental stress, and corporal punishment.
What makes PCIT in Hoboken so successful?
Live coaching model
Evidence-based approach
Structured and goal-oriented
Empowers parents
Enhances attachment and warmth
Adaptable for diverse populations
Lessens parental stress
Reduces child behavioral concerns
Short- to medium-term treatment
Generalizable skills
What are the benefits of working with a PCIT therapist at Anchor Therapy?
Safe space for learning
Early intervention impact
Skill mastery tracking
Expert guidance
Personalized support
Structured treatment
Emotional regulation support
Enhanced outcomes
Accountability and encouragement
What does PCIT therapy involve?
PCIT is primarily conducted through “coaching” sessions where you and your child together while your child counselor observes the relationship between you two. This in-the-moment coaching experience provides you with skills to learn how to manage your child’s behavior.
What is the basic structure of PCIT?
Typically, PCIT is completed through two phases.
Phase One: Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
This initial phase focuses on improving the parent-child bond through positive, nurturing interactions. During CDI, parents are taught to follow the child’s lead in play while practicing PRIDE skills: Praise, Reflection, Imitation, Description, and Enjoyment. These techniques help increase positive behavior, build emotional security, and reduce negative parent-child patterns such as criticism or commands. Sessions are conducted with the parent and child playing together while the therapist observes. Your PCIT therapist provides live coaching, helping you as the parent practice and refine your use of PRIDE skills in real-time. Mastery of these skills is required before moving on to the next phase.
What are the goals of phase one of PCIT?
Fewer and shorter tantrums with reduced intensity
Calmer and more manageable energy levels
Fewer negative attention-seeking behaviors, such as whining or acting bossy
Lower levels of frustration and stress for parents
Stronger sense of security, trust, and emotional connection with the caregiver
Improved ability to focus and stay engaged
Greater confidence and positive self-image
More cooperative behaviors, including turn-taking; helping other people; and sharing
Phase Two: Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)
Once the parent has demonstrated consistent use of CDI skills, PCIT therapy transitions to the second phase which focuses on discipline and behavior management. In PDI, parents learn how to give clear, effective commands and implement consistent consequences for noncompliance, such as timeouts and planned ignoring. The goal is to help children follow directions, improve emotional regulation, and reduce disruptive behaviors across settings, including at home, school, and in public. Just like in CDI, child therapists provide real-time coaching during parent-child interactions to support skill development. Parents are also given home practice assignments to reinforce techniques between sessions.
What are the goals of phase two of PCIT?
Fewer and less intense episodes of aggressive behavior
More appropriate and manageable behavior in public settings
Reduction in purposeful destructive actions, such as intentionally breaking toys
Lower levels of oppositional or defiant behavior
Better cooperation and follow-through with adult directions
Greater consistency in following family or household rules
Increased parental confidence and calm when handling discipline situations
How long is a PCIT session?
PCIT session lasts about 45 minutes here at Anchor Therapy. Each session includes time for the therapist to check in with the parent, observe parent-child interactions, and provide live coaching while the parent practices specific skills with their child. The structure of the session may vary slightly depending on whether the family is in the CDI or PDI phase, but the core format remains consistent. Sessions are usually held once a week and continue until the parent has mastered the necessary skills and the child’s behavior shows significant improvement. On average, families complete PCIT in 12 to 20 sessions, but the total duration depends on your individual needs and the progress of each family.
What is the discipline of interaction therapy?
The discipline of interaction therapy, particularly as seen in PCIT, is rooted in principles of behavioral psychology and attachment theory. It focuses on improving the quality of interactions between a caregiver and child with the goal of reducing problematic behaviors and strengthening emotional bonds. Interaction therapy disciplines itself by using structured, evidence-based techniques that prioritize observable behaviors and consistent parent responses. This approach helps children learn appropriate behavior through positive reinforcement and predictable consequences while also promoting secure attachment and emotional regulation.
What evidence-based techniques are used in PCIT?
PRIDE skills:
Praise - Offering specific, labeled praise to reinforce good behavior (e.g., “You did a great job sharing your toys with your brother!”)
Reflection - Repeating or paraphrasing your child’s speech to show attentiveness and encourage communication
Imitation - Copying the child’s play to show approval and build connection
Description - Narrating the child’s actions to enhance attention and language development
Enjoyment - Displaying warmth and enthusiasm during interactions to make time together positive and meaningful
Live coaching
Positive reinforcement
Differential attention (e.g., ignoring whining or complaining, etc.)
Time-out procedure
Clear and effective commands
Modeling and repetition
A key aspect of the PCIT discipline is live coaching where your child therapist at Anchor Therapy guides you in real-time as you interact with your child. This allows for immediate correction, encouragement, and reinforcement of effective parenting strategies. The therapy is split into two distinct but connected phases: CDI and PDI. CDI focuses on building warmth, trust, and positive communication through play and praise while PDI introduces consistent and calm discipline techniques, such as giving clear commands, using timeouts effectively, and reducing attention to negative behaviors through planned ignoring.
The discipline of interaction therapy also emphasizes mastery-based progression, meaning families do not advance through the program based on time alone but on demonstrated skill and improvement. PCIT therapists measure both child behavior and parent technique using standardized tools to ensure progress is meaningful and sustainable. By combining behavioral structure with emotional support, interaction therapy creates a balanced, respectful model of discipline that empowers parents and helps children thrive in both home and community settings.
What are the key components of PCIT?
Two-phase structure
PRIDE skills
Live coaching
Mastery-based progression
Standardized assessments
Parent involvement
Structured discipline strategies (e.g., positive reinforcement, consistent commands, timeout, etc.)
Short-term, high-impact model
Focus on generalization
Evidence-based framework
What skills do parents learn in a PCIT program?
In PCIT, parents are taught a comprehensive set of skills that enhance both their parenting effectiveness and the quality of their relationship with their child.
One of the foundational components is the use of PRIDE skills, which are central to the CDI phase of treatment. These include Praise, Reflection, Imitation, Description, and Enjoyment. Through these techniques, parents learn to offer labeled praise to reinforce specific positive behaviors (e.g., “I love how you are playing gently with your toys”), reflect their child’s speech to encourage verbal development and show attentiveness, imitate their child’s play to build emotional connection, describe the child’s actions to promote attention and learning, and express genuine enjoyment to make interactions warm and affirming. These strategies help build trust, increase cooperation, and reduce negativity in parent-child exchanges!
In addition to building positive interactions, PCIT teaches parents effective behavior management techniques during the PDI phase. Parents learn to give clear, direct, and age-appropriate commands, using simple language and maintaining a firm yet calm tone. They practice following through with consistent consequences, such as timeouts, when their child does not comply. One of the critical skills here is learning planned ignoring- a strategy that involves withholding attention for minor negative behaviors like whining or complaining which discourages attention-seeking misbehavior without escalating the situation. These discipline strategies are taught alongside guidance on how to remain emotionally regulated and composed, allowing the parent to model self-control and prevent power struggles.
Another essential aspect of PCIT is helping parents develop confidence and calmness in handling misbehavior. Through live coaching from a therapist, parents receive real-time support and feedback as they interact with their child, allowing them to fine-tune their responses and build competence. Over time, parents report feeling more in control, less overwhelmed, and more successful in setting and maintaining boundaries. They also learn how to generalize these skills to real-world situations, such as handling public meltdowns or managing sibling conflict, ensuring that the strategies are not just effective in a clinical setting but also sustainable at home, in school environments, and in the community.
Ultimately, the skills parents learn in PCIT are aimed at reducing disruptive behavior, increasing cooperation and emotional security, and transforming the parent-child dynamic into one that is more positive, respectful, and resilient. By focusing on both relationship-building and consistent discipline, PCIT equips parents with the tools they need to support their child’s emotional and behavioral development long after therapy ends.
What tools do parents learn through PCIT coaching in Hoboken?
PRIDE skills
Effective command strategies
Consistent follow-through
Planned ignoring
Structured timeouts
Calm, neutral discipline
Behavior tracking
In-the-moment coaching
Daily home practice
Emotional regulation
Confidence building
Generalization of skills
PCIT Treatment at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken
PCIT really works and there is strong evidence to support that. PCIT is backed by over 40 years of research and is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for young children (typically ages 2–7) who struggle with disruptive behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, defiance, or difficulty following directions. It is especially helpful for families feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure of how to manage behavior in a loving yet effective way. Many parents see significant improvement not just in their child’s behavior but also in their own confidence, patience, and ability to stay calm and connected.
If you are just starting out with PCIT, it is completely normal to feel uncertain or even skeptical. Change does not happen overnight, but PCIT is designed to support you every step of the way. The sessions are structured, and you will not be doing it alone. You will get real-time coaching from a trained PCIT therapist at Anchor Therapy who will help you practice new skills and handle difficult moments as they happen. At first, it may feel awkward or different from your usual parenting style, but stick with it and you will see that the results are powerful and lasting.
Many families report that their homes become more peaceful, their children more cooperative, and their parent-child relationships stronger and warmer after completing PCIT. You are not just learning how to manage behavior- you are learning how to reconnect with your child in a way that builds trust, reduces stress, and creates long-term change. Keep in mind that PCIT is a mastery-based program which means progress is measured by real skill-building, not just time spent in mental health therapy. That means you will leave with tools you truly know how to use and can rely on even after child counseling ends.
How Can I Start PCIT at Anchor Therapy?
WORKING WITH anchor therapy IS EASY
Fill out and submit the contact form.
Our intake coordinator will respond via email and match you and your child with a PCIT counselor on our team.
Rest assured that you are investing in your child’s future and your family’s well-being!
