PCIT is an evidenced based, targeted treatment for young children between the ages of 2 – 6 years old who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties especially those with more “externalizing” presentations. This therapy places emphasis on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and helps change and improve parent-child interaction patterns in a very structured, directed manner. Parents learn skills to manage their child’s severe behavior problems and gain a new structure for a positive relationship with their child.
Typical goals for PCIT are to improve the parent/caregiver-child relationship, improve a child’s listening, minding, and attention skills, and increase a child’s ability to manage frustration and anger. At the completion of PCIT, parents/caregivers generally report a high level of satisfaction and decreased stress.