Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for young, challenging children (2-7) with behavioral problems. PCIT is done through “live coaching.” During your session, you and your child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room. The therapist will watch you interact with your child and coach you on skills you are learning to manage your child’s behavior. PCIT routinely receives the highest rating for the quality of research that has been done demonstrating its efficacy. PCIT is often 14-25 sessions. Sessions are weekly for a duration.

During sessions with your child, you receive step-by-step, live coaching to learn positive and effective parenting strategies that decrease aggressive, defiant, and other negative behaviors.

The first part of treatment focuses on building a secure relationship between you and your child. The first part of PCIT called “Child Directed Interaction” or CDI, focuses on increasing warmth in your relationship with your child through learning and applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure in their relationships with their parents, and good about themselves.

During the second part of PCIT, Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI), you will learn proven strategies to help your child accept your limits, comply with your directions, respect house rules, and demonstrate appropriate behavior in public.

Call 269-615-7637 to see if you and your child might be a good fit for PCIT.

Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling has several PCIT-certified therapists. Jeff LaPonsie, LMSW-C has met the certification requirements established by PCIT International to be a within-agency trainer.