Parent–Child Interaction Therapy

Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a type of therapy used primarily with children between 2 and 7 years of age who have disruptive and problem behaviors and their families. This therapeutic approach to strengthening parent–child relationships combines behavior modification and play therapy techniques. The child and parent are [Page 756]seen together in monitored play sessions where the parent receives live, step-by-step coaching from therapists who are behind a two-way mirror. Considered an evidence-based treatment, this approach has demonstrated statistically and clinically significant results in reducing children’s maladaptive behaviors, improving appropriate behaviors, reducing parent stress, and increasing overall parental efficacy. It has a wide range of applications for improving behavior in children who have been diagnosed with oppositional-defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and those ...