PCIT
What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)?
PCIT is an evidence-based intervention for young children and their caregivers that builds stronger and healthier caregiver-child connections. PCIT is conducted through "coaching" sessions with the parent and child during which the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills the caregiver is learning to manage their child’s behavior, either through a one-way mirror or through live video. Therapy can be completed within 12-20 sessions but is not time limited. It consists of two phases: 1) enhancing the child-caregiver attachment relationship, and 2) teaching effective discipline and limit setting. For more information, click here.
Who is PCIT For?
Children ages 2.5 to 7 with behavioral and parent-child relationship problems.
The Evidence
In typical outpatient community mental health settings, PCIT shows markedly better outcomes than usual clinical care, shorter treatment duration, and high clinician satisfaction. Outcomes include significantly improved child behavior, sustained gains, reduced parenting stress, decreased child trauma symptoms, improved parent-child relationships, and even reduced abuse/maltreatment recidivism for caregivers (Brinkmeyer & Eyberg, 2003; Eyberg & Robinson, 1982; Mersky et al., 2015; Thomas et al., 2017).
Further, given PCIT’s young age range, it enables mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention, preventing youth from developing compounded and expensive life course disorders. PCIT has been found to be highly effective across many populations, including children with IDD and ASD (Allen et al., 2023; Bagner & Eyberg, 2007; Bagner et al., 2023; McInnis et al., 2020; Scudder et al., 2019), children who have experienced trauma (Warren et al., 2022; Gurwitch & Warner-Metzger, 2022), families with child welfare involvement, and caregivers with substance use histories (Chaffin et al., 2004). PCIT has also been found to be effective when delivered via telehealth (Tannenbaum et al., 2025). For more information on the research behind PCIT, click here.
We Make a Difference
What Clinicians Are Saying
This training was incredible. I thoroughly enjoyed learning the new concepts and skills but the practice time and opportunities to try this out was exceptionally valuable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this training and will apply all of the information I learned. This was the most engaging and informative training I have attended.
This is very much the opposite of how I have learned to engage in therapy with children and gives an entirely different perspective than focusing on feelings.
I learned the power of coaching and supporting parents to build their confidence.
What Can I Expect From PCIT Training?
We train with approved national trainers and prepare clinicians to get certified through PCIT International.
Training activities include:
- Training Part 1, Child Directed Interaction: 24-hour training
- Training Part 2, Parent Directed Interaction (3 months later): 12-hour training
- 36 1-hour virtual consultation calls (biweekly)
Eligible trainees are licensed or license-eligible individuals with a Master’s degree in a mental health field, or in the process of completing their practicum or internship under the supervision of a licensed provider
Therapist certification requirements:
- Completion of 40-hour training with an approved PCIT trainer
- 80% attendance at consultation
- Graduation of 2 PCIT cases during active consultation
- Demonstration of skills attainment through video review and live demonstration with a PCIT trainer
- Completion of knowledge assessment
- Materials submitted to PCIT International
Certification fee: $225; Certification lasts 2 years
To renew certification, clinicians must submit a brief application and documentation of 3 hours of PCIT continuing education. For more information, click here.
Within-Agency Trainer training activities
Within-agency PCIT trainers can lead PCIT trainings and consultation groups for agency clinicians.
Training activities include:
- 1-day training
- 12 monthly 1-hour consultation calls
Within-Agency Trainer certification requirements:
- Completion of 1-day didactic training with an approved WATER trainer
- 12 monthly 1-hour consultation calls with an approved trainer
- 4 graduated PCIT cases
- Provision of supervision to at least 1 therapist-in-training during the consultation series
- Demonstration of skills through live or taped observation of supervision sessions
More information can be found here.