PCIT | ICF Psychology

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

From Overwhelmed and Reactive to Confident and Connected

What is it?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach designed for families navigating intense behavioral challenges with young children—typically ages 2 to 6.

This isn’t a program that leaves you guessing. You’ll be actively coached in real time, with a trained therapist guiding you through interactions with your child—offering gentle, in-the-moment support through a small earpiece. You’ll learn how to strengthen your bond, set clear boundaries, and respond with calm confidence, even when things feel unpredictable.

PCIT is available both in-person and virtually, depending on your needs and location. Whether you're in the therapy room or joining from home, the coaching process remains consistent, supportive, and effective.

PCIT is especially helpful for families experiencing:

Frequent tantrums, aggression, or defiance
Emotional outbursts that feel out of proportion
Struggles with transitions, rules, or routines

What to Expect

Weekly sessions (usually 1 hour) with both parent and child present
A structured, two-phase model: first building connection, then shaping behavior
Real-time coaching through a discreet earpiece
Home practice between sessions to reinforce progress
A commitment to consistency—most families see meaningful change within 12–20 sessions

PCIT is a good fit for families where there is:

At least one caregiver is participating consistently and has custody of the child at least 50% of the time
A child between ages 2 and 6 with behavioral concerns
A willingness to engage in structured, hands-on learning, and practice daily
No active safety concerns that would prevent participation

Learn more about PCIT

When You Walk on Eggshells While
in Public

It feels like a distant past—when going to the farmers market, attending community events, or running into the home improvement store was just another pleasant item on the To Do list. Getting out of the house meant fresh air, familiar faces, maybe even a little fun. You’d linger at the flower stand, chat with a grocer, maybe even let your child pick out a treat.

Now, even simple outings feel like walking on eggshells. You never know what might set things off—a buzzing speaker, a dog barking, a change in routine. Sometimes everything goes fine. Other times, it unravels in seconds. One moment you’re holding hands. The next, you’re bracing for impact.

It’s often the smallest things.
“No, please put that back on the shelf.”
“We’re not going to the toy aisle.”
“We're only buying items on Daddy's list.”
“We need to leave now to pick up your brother.”

You center yourself. You try to stay calm. But when the meltdown hits, the whispers sting.

“She’s letting him act like that?”
“Some people shouldn’t be parents.”
“Just discipline the kid already.”

You catch pitiful stares from other parents. You feel your face flush. You’ve implored “just please listen” more times than you can count, hoping this time it lands. But when your child is raging, and your heart is pounding, you give in—just to get through it.

You've started avoiding places. You skip the family get-together. You choose takeout over sitting down. You leave the cart half-full at the grocery store. You rehearse your exit before you even unbuckle the car seat. And every time, before stepping out, you mutter a quiet hope under your breath—deep inhale, slow exhale—“Please let today be okay.”

PCIT understands this kind of dread. These moments aren’t just acknowledged—they’re built into the program. You’ll learn how to respond with calm, clear guidance, even when things are unpredictable. You’ll practice skills that help your child feel safe and connected, even in public. Imagine walking through the store with no sense of dread. Imagine someone stopping you, pointing to your child—not to judge, but to say, “You two make such a great team.”

You sit in the car, engine off, garage door closed. Just a few minutes to cry before going back inside. You love your child deeply, but some days feel impossible. People offer advice like it’s simple—“Just be consistent,” “Try a reward chart,” “Don’t let them win.” But they don’t see what you see.

You’ve thought about asking the pediatrician about medication. Not because you want to, but because you feel backed into a corner. Everything in you screams, “This isn’t the answer,” but you’re running out of options.

You wish they had a day in your shoes. Or even half a day. Maybe even just doing bedtime with your kid one time.

PCIT sees you. You’re not left to figure it out alone. You’re in the room with your child—and a trained coach guiding you through each moment. A gentle voice in your ear helps you respond with clarity, warmth, and confidence. You’ll hear encouragement when you need it most.

When No One Really Gets It

When You Wonder If You’re the Problem

You didn’t expect parenting to be easy—but you didn’t expect to feel like a failure, either. Some days, it feels like you’re not built for this. Like you’re not enough. You hear the judgments in other people’s voices—or maybe just in their silence—and you start to believe them.

And then there’s the confusion: Why do teachers say they’re fine at school, when at home it’s chaos? Why do they behave so well in therapy, only to unravel the moment you leave the room? You start to wonder—what’s wrong with me?

PCIT meets you right there. It’s not about fixing your child. It’s about building the relationship between you and your child. You’ll learn how to connect in ways that shift behavior from the inside out. And the changes don’t just happen in the therapy room—they happen with you. At home. In public. In real life. You’ll see it. You’ll feel it. And you’ll know: you were never the problem. You were always the key.

You’re not just worried about your child’s behavior—you’re worried about how it must feel to be them.

You see the teacher’s face fall when they spot your child’s name on the roster. You hear the hesitation in other parents’ voices when they decline a playdate—“maybe another time,” they say, but you both know why. Birthday party invites stop coming. Summer camps say they’re full. After-school programs quietly suggest “a better fit.” Your child has been asked to leave daycares. Again.

On the playground, they’re alone. Other kids say your child is “too rough.” You watch your child try to join in, only to be turned away. You see the sadness in their eyes. The confusion. The remorse. They know what they did wasn’t okay—but they couldn’t help it. They know right from wrong. And still, it happens.

You don’t know how to help them any more than you know how to help yourself.

PCIT meets you both with compassion. You’ll learn how to guide your child in ways that build their confidence, reinforce social skills, and promote listening and cooperation. You’ll see changes—not just in behavior, but in how your child sees themselves. You’ll help them feel capable, connected, and understood. And you’ll know you’re not failing them. You’re showing up in the most powerful way.

When You Worry
What It's Like for
Your Child

When You Fear You’re Ruining Their Childhood

You wanted to be the parent who made forts out of blankets, who danced in the kitchen, who whispered bedtime stories with love. You have those days—and you cherish them. And you want more of them.

Instead, you’ve become The Punisher. The Yeller. The Fun Police. Impatient. Exhausted.

You don’t allow your child to be out of your sight. To your child, everywhere’s a playground. Everything’s fair game. You’re hypervigilant. You limit opportunities not out of punishment, but out of fear.

You’re constantly scanning for what they might break, what could become a weapon, what they might hurt themselves doing. You micromanage for damage control.

You hear yourself full of corrections—“Stop.” “Quit.” “Don’t.” "Leave that alone." "Get away from there."

You’ve taken away screen time. Had them sit in a corner to think about their actions. You’re stuck in endless negotiations—threatened consequences you don’t want to follow through on. You find yourself thinking, “What’s the next bribe? What will buy me five minutes of peace?”

The guilt is heavy. You didn’t want it to be this way.

You wonder what memories they’ll carry from this season of childhood. You feel every negative encounter chipping away at the bond you so desperately want to protect.

PCIT shifts the story from the very beginning. It’s not just about behavior—it’s about your connection. Your attachment. Your interactions. We can’t rewrite the past, but we can start building good memories from day one. You’ll learn how to guide with warmth and clarity, how to reconnect in ways that feel safe and joyful. You’ll see your child respond. You’ll feel the bond strengthen. And you’ll know: it’s not too late. You’re already showing up.

You’re not just fighting with your child—you’re fighting with your partner. Or your ex. Or both.

One of you says, “You’re too harsh.”
The other says, “You let them get away with too much.”
You argue over time-outs, over consequences, over whether to say no or give in.
“Spanking is the only thing that works.”
“That’s abuse.”
“Just do it my way.”

You both want what’s best for your child, but it feels like you’re speaking different languages. The tension seeps into everything—bedtime, school drop-off, even texts about the weekend schedule. You’re exhausted. You’re hurt. And deep down, you’re scared that your child is caught in the middle.

But it’s not just emotional. The behavior is getting worse. Your child is learning that sometimes “no” means “maybe”—depending on who says it, how tired you are, or how loud they scream. The inconsistency becomes its own kind of fuel. You’re not just overwhelmed—you’re unintentionally reinforcing the very behaviors you’re trying to stop.

PCIT helps you get on the same page. It’s not about who’s right—it’s about what works. You’ll learn a shared language for parenting, grounded in connection, consistency, and respect. Whether you’re parenting together or apart, you’ll build a foundation that supports your child—and each other. You’ll move from conflict to collaboration.