Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a behaviour-based, family-focussed program designed to help improve the parent-child relationship through improved interaction. In this program, the therapist works with the parents and the child and studies and facilitates a change in their interaction styles thereby helps in the development of effective parenting techniques and reductions in behaviour issues and may also lead to a stronger familial relationship.
This approach is used for parents of children with disruptive behaviours.
Ages 2-8
If you are a parent who is getting calls from school about your child’s poor behaviour
If your child throws tantrums and has meltdowns in public frequently, If our child shows anger and throws and or breaks things,
If their behaviour overwhelms you or embarrasses you
If you find you are losing your temper very often with your child
Ages 9 and above
If your child is defiant and is refusing to follow instructions or obey rules at school
If your child is struggling with excessive anxiety
If your child is struggling with mental health issues such as as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) or Conduct Disorder (CD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) depending on the severity of the behavior and the nature of the presenting problems.
The program uses a unique combination of behavioral therapy, play therapy, and parent training to teach more effective discipline techniques and improve the parent–child relationship.
PCIT is typically administered once a week, with 1-hour sessions, for 8-12 sessions total and consists of two treatment phases:
Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
focuses on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship, which in-turn will help promote changes in behaviour.
Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)
continues to encourage appropriate play while also focusing on a structured and consistent approach to discipline
Expected outcomes
Decrease in frequency and intensity and duration of tantrums
Decreased in negative behaviours like whining, bossing or hurting self or other children
Increase in attention span and ability to get tasks done
Increase in pro-social and friendly behaviours which will help them gain more friends and play better with peers
Decrease in frequency, severity, and duration of aggressive and defiant behaviour like tantrums, hurting siblings, meltdowns
Decrease in frequency of destructive behaviour like throwing things, breaking toys, destroying objects
Improvement in obedience and compliance with requests made to them
Greater respect for rules at home and school
Increase in parental calmness and confidence during discipline
Increase in connectedness between parents and child
Increase in cohesion of parenting styles between parents
UK
Hi Devi, Just to let you know today was the last day of our 12 week PCIT. There has been a huge change in Shrey’s behaviour and our frustration levels also. When you explained the program to us first I just went with you because I was so desperate. But The program is so well planned and conducted that we could see changes in our behaviour and my son’s. Now we have a child who is not throwing tantrums and being difficult in public. He is so much better at school and we are also much more confident about managing him.
Chennai
Thank you for the counselling and guidance for helping Aanya back to school. As you know COVID made it so difficult for small children especially and getting my 6 year old daughter back to school was really becoming very tough. Thanks to your program on PCIT, we were able to overcome this fear in her and get her back. Thanks also for helping me as a parent manage my emotions and feelings.
Delhi
Good evening. Pooja and I want to thank you a lot for all your help with Viaan’s social difficulty in school. We never realised how much anxiety a 9 year old could be experiencing and how it was showing up. Thank you for helping us get back our calm and kind child and also helping us understand these problems in such great detail.