Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a type in which parents develop the skills to improve relationships with their children.  (PCIT) is a combination of play therapy and behavioral therapy for young children and their parents or caregivers. 

This therapy is beneficial for children with behavioral issues such as ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, developmental disabilities, learning difficulties, and autism.

Key Benefits of parent-child interaction therapy

PCIT helps parents develop more positive parenting skills. This will help in improving the parent-child relationship.

During a typical PCIT session, the positive interaction techniques and skills that parents learn include play, praise, active listening, and engagement.

The primary benefit of PCIT is that it can be customized according to the specific needs of each family.

A child may have difficulties with following directions or remaining focused on a task. The therapist at Dr. Habib’s Foster CDC can work with the parent in developing strategies to improve these behaviors.

PCIT therapy can be imparted as an adjuvant therapy to reinforce the outcomes of other types of therapies. For instance, if a child is receiving, physical, occupational, or speech therapy, then Parent-child interaction therapy can help improve the skills learned in those therapies.

PCIT Benefits for the Children

The techniques and skills used in this therapy help in gaining several positives for children, such as:

• Improved attention span
• Improved self-esteem
• Lowered severity or frequency of tantrums
• Less severe aggressive behavior or lowered duration and frequency of aggressive behavior
• Enhanced feelings of security, safety, and attachment to the primary caregiver
• Less frequent destructive behavior and defiance
  
  

PCIT Benefits for Parents

• More positive family interactions
• Decreased frustration
• Reduced stress and depression
• Increased calmness and confidence during discipline

Bottom Line

Children with developmental and behavioral issues can create difficulties for parents – and thus disturb family functioning. PCIT, in addition to effectively treating behavioral issues in children, can also strengthen the parent-child relationship – and help improve communication between family members. Parents must consider this therapy to lower their stress levels and manage conflicts within the family.

Research shows that PCIT is an effective means to treat behavioral problems in children. In addition, children who along with their families receive PCIT show substantial improvements in their behavioral and social skills, compared to those who do not receive this therapy.