For parents
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
A clear, parent-friendly guide to PCIT, an evidence-based form of parent-child therapy for child behavior, written by Britney Duner, LCSW, a PCIT-certified child and family therapist.
The basics
What is PCIT?
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, or PCIT, is a well-researched child behavior therapy for young children and their caregivers. Instead of the therapist working with your child alone, PCIT coaches you while you play with your child, so you practice new skills in the moment and get immediate, supportive feedback.
The goal is twofold: a warmer, more connected relationship, and calmer, more predictable behavior at home. PCIT for parents is less about talking through problems and more about building skills you can use every day.
Is it a fit?
Who can benefit from PCIT?
Families often explore PCIT when they are noticing concerns like:
- Frequent tantrums, defiance, or aggression
- Difficulty with emotional regulation
- Interactions that feel tense or stuck in power struggles
- High caregiver stress or feeling unsure what to do next
PCIT is not the right approach for every child or family. Some concerns are better served by other treatments, and a qualified clinician should complete an assessment before recommending it.
The process
How PCIT works
Phase 1: Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
Your child leads the play while you learn to follow. You practice specific skills such as labeled praise, reflecting what your child says, and describing what they are doing, while letting minor misbehavior pass. This phase builds warmth, attention, and your child's sense of security.
Phase 2: Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)
Building on that connection, you learn to give clear, direct instructions and follow through with calm, consistent consequences. Over time this extends from play to real-life situations like transitions and public outings.
You are central
The parent's role
In PCIT, you are not handing your child off to be fixed. You are learning concrete skills, with coaching, that strengthen your relationship and help your child feel safe and understood.
Short daily practice at home, often about five minutes of special play time, is a core part of treatment. That is where much of the change happens.
Experience
Britney's PCIT experience
- Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Certified Therapist since April 2024
- Trained in PCIT at Auburn University under Dr. Elizabeth Brestan-Knight
- Child and family therapist in outpatient academic medical settings
- Principal investigator on a PCIT clinical study at the University of Florida (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06827951)
- Presenter: "Biobehavioral Insights and Fit in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Implementation", 2026 PCIT International Convention
- Clinical educator for psychiatry fellows and residents
Connected Parent is an education resource and does not currently provide PCIT treatment. The information here is general and is not a substitute for care from a qualified clinician.
Meet BritneyResearch
PCIT research
Britney serves as principal investigator on an ongoing PCIT clinical study through the University of Florida, with participants from UF Health Jacksonville and Gainesville. Read more about her research and publications, or view the study listing.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is PCIT?
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based therapy that coaches caregivers, in real time, to use specific skills with their child. It focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship and helping children with challenging behavior.
What age range is PCIT designed for?
PCIT was originally designed for young children, generally around ages 2 to 7. Adaptations exist for other ages, and a trained clinician can help decide whether it is a good fit.
How long does PCIT take?
PCIT is mastery-based rather than time-limited. Families move forward when skills are met, so length varies. Many families complete treatment in roughly 12 to 20 weekly sessions, though some need more or fewer.
What happens during a PCIT session?
The caregiver plays with their child while the therapist observes, often from behind a one-way mirror or by video, and coaches the caregiver through an earpiece. Sessions usually include a short check-in, a brief skills observation, live coaching, and home practice planning.
Is PCIT only for children with behavioral problems?
PCIT is best known for disruptive behavior, but families also seek it for emotional regulation difficulties, strained parent-child interactions, and caregiver stress. Whether it is appropriate depends on a clinical assessment.
What is the difference between PCIT and traditional child therapy?
In many traditional child therapies, the therapist works mainly with the child. In PCIT, the caregiver is at the center: the therapist coaches the parent live, so new skills are practiced with the child during the session and carried into daily life.