PCIT in tampa and online in florida

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

We often hear parents say, “I love my child, but it’s hard, because everything’s a fight.” From the moment you wake up in the morning to the last bedtime routine, it feels like you’re constantly at odds—whether it’s getting dressed, sitting at the table for a meal, or just trying to get through a simple task without a meltdown. It’s exhausting and leaves you feeling defeated, even when you know deep down that your child’s behavior is not intentional. You want to be able to support them and help them grow, but it’s hard to know how when every interaction feels like a battle.

Our team of child psychologists is passionate about helping parents gain a deeper understanding of their child’s behaviors so they can approach challenges with confidence and learn practical solutions, early on. Through Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, we’ll help you decrease your child’s behavior problems, increase their social skills and cooperation, and improve your parent-child attachment relationship.

What is PCIT?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a highly evidence-based treatment for children ages 2 to 7 who are exhibiting challenging behaviors, such as tantrums, defiance, and aggression. Unlike traditional sit-and-talk therapy models, PCIT is unique because it involves real-time coaching for you, the parent. Because let’s face it—your child isn’t going to listen to us either.

PCIT is hands-on, practical, and designed to help you learn and practice new parenting skills right then and there. We teach you to be the play therapist. This means you start seeing positive changes not just in your child’s behavior, but in your confidence as a parent, almost from the get-go.

What happens during PCIT?

Direct Parent-Child Coaching: During therapy sessions, you’ll be coached in real time as you interact with your child. This immediate feedback helps you learn how to reinforce positive behaviors and respond to difficult moments in a calm and effective way.

Building Positive Parent-Child Relationships: PCIT is built around the importance of creating a strong, trusting bond between you and your child. You’ll learn strategies to engage in meaningful play and provide positive reinforcement, which helps your child feel seen and valued.

Behavior Management Skills: You’ll gain practical, research-based tools to manage challenging behavior, set clear boundaries, and respond consistently without resorting to power struggles or punishment.

How does PCIT work?

PCIT works by empowering parents to improve a child’s behavior through methods that rely on the parent-child relationship and positive parenting strategies. It teaches parents traditional play-therapy skills to use as social reinforcers of positive child behavior and traditional behavior management skills to decrease negative child behavior.

Sessions take place virtually. Parents wear headphones while playing with their child at home and the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills the parent is learning to manage their child's behavior. It’s like having a personal coach for parenting—right in your living room. This immediate feedback helps you correct and fine-tune what you’re learning so you can master these skills faster than if you were trying to figure it out on your own.

PCIT has two treatment phases:

Child-Directed Interaction (CDI): The first phase of PCIT focuses on building a nurturing, positive connection. You’ll engage in play with your child while learning how to use specific positive parenting strategies. This phase helps build trust and warmth back into the relationship, and encourages positive behavior. You’ll be applying skills proven to help children feel calm, secure, and good about themselves.

Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI): In the second phase of PCIT, you’ll learn how to set clear expectations, limit setting, give effective instructions, and how to follow through with appropriate consequences. This helps you manage behavior in a structured, confident way that supports your child’s growth and self-control.

How does PCIT help?

Children treated through PCIT are much more likely to see positive outcomes:

  • strengthened relationship between parent and child

  • increased ability for child to focus and be in the present

  • reduction in negative attention seeking behaviors (tantrums, whining, bossiness)

  • increased social skills

  • increased positive parenting skills

  • virtual therapy also allows you and your child to practice new skills in your natural environment

Learn more about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy!

Is PCIT right for you?

Do you want to…

  • Build a closer relationship with your child using positive attention strategies

  • Help your child feel safe and calm by fostering warmth and security

  • Increase your child’s organizational and play skills

  • Decrease your child’s frustration and anger

  • Enhance your child’s self-esteem

  • Improve your child’s social skills such as sharing and cooperation

  • Learn how to communicate with your child who has a limited attention span

  • Learn specific discipline techniques that help your child listen and follow directions

  • Decrease problematic behaviors by learning to be consistent and predictable

  • Develop confidence in managing your child’s behaviors at home and in public

Frequently Asked Questions About Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

  • PCIT normally lasts 12-20 sessions, although there is no standard time frame for treatment. The exact treatment length will vary based on the needs of the child and family. Treatment is considered complete when a positive parent-child relationship is established and the parent can effectively manage the child’s behavior.

  • The main difference is that in PCIT, parents receive live coaching and feedback while interacting with their child.

  • In order for sessions to be effective, parents must have a phone with wired or bluetooth headset, a separate laptop or tablet, and an internet connection fast enough for video chat.

  • PCIT is typically appropriate for families with children who are between 2 - 7 years old and experience emotional and behavioral problems that are frequent and intense.

  • The reality is improving parenting skills is the most effective way to improve children’s behavior problems. The take home message here is that YOU, the parent, are the most important ingredient to your child’s success.

  • PCIT teaches parents relationship-building skills that are like those used by a play therapist. What differs in PCIT is that we teach you to use these skills with your own child. While a play therapist would only be with your child for about an hour a week, you are with your child far more often than that. If a therapist was to work with just your child for one hour a week without you present, the therapist could improve your child’s behavior for that one hour; however, this would not result in big improvements in your child’s behavior once the therapist returned your child to you.

    You will learn to work together with your child in new and wonderful ways. As you begin to practice these skills, you will naturally begin to use these skills as part of your daily routines with your child. In this way, we have seen many families make positive life-changes through our PCIT program.

  • PCIT changes a child’s behavior by teaching parents new approaches for responding to their child’s actions. During PCIT, parents will learn:

    • How to reinforce good behaviors so they keep happening

    • How to pay less attention to problem behaviors so that they decrease

    • How to help children identify and regulate their emotions

    • How to improve their child’s play and social skills

    • How to decrease hitting or other forms of aggression

    • How to get their child to obey them without yelling

    • How to build a trusting, safe relationship

  • PCIT is recommended by the following organizations:

    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

    • The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

    PCIT is considered a best practice for the prevention and treatment of child conduct problems by the following organizations:

    • SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices

    • California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare

    • Federal Administration on Children, Youth and Families in the Child Welfare Information Gateway

  • There are 40+ years of high-quality research supporting the effectiveness of PCIT.

    • PCIT reduces problem behaviors

    • PCIT reduces parenting stress

    • PCIT reduces sadness/anxiety

    • Gains from PCIT last over time

    • Siblings of children who received PCIT also improve

    • Children’s behavior improves in school

As a parent, it can be hard to know when your child’s behavior is just part of “being a kid” or a sign of a bigger issue.

All children are different, and even the most typical child may engage in “problematic” behaviors from time to time, especially when they are tired, stressed or sick; however lots of research has shown that children with repeated behavior problems continue to have these problems until the family receives effective help. If your child repeatedly engages in inappropriate or challenging behaviors, complete our consultation form below and one of our PCIT International psychologists trained in PCIT will help you determine the next steps.

Some questions to ask yourself to help determine if your child’s behaviors are problematic:

  • Is the behavior more intense than it should be?

  • Does the duration of the behavior continue long after the situation has passed?

  • Is the behavior typical for his/her age level?

  • Is the behavior upsetting to your child or other family members?

  • Does your child’s behavior interfere with school or friendships?

  • Does your child seem to engage in these behaviors to get your attention?

  • Does the behavior happen for no obvious reason?

  • Does your child avoid important activities because of the behavior?

We get it—parenting a child with big behaviors can feel like an endless game of “Now what?”

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) helps you navigate those moments with strategies that actually work. No more feeling stuck or unsure if you’re doing things right. PCIT helps you gain the confidence and tools you need to manage your child’s behavior effectively, so you can enjoy more positive interactions and build a stronger, more supportive relationship.