Parenting Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
BGV welcomes a Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to our Bridgeport & Milford campuses.
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment program designed for caregivers and their young children (2 to 7 years old) who are experiencing social, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties.
It is easy for parents to be overwhelmed when their child displays behaviors such as:
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Defiance - refusing to follow directions
- Verbal and/or physical aggression
- Whining or crying for no apparent reason
- Constantly seeking attention
- Hyperactivity
- Interrupting others
- Short attention span
- Difficulty with behaviors at school, preschool, and/or daycare
PCIT is a group effort!
PCIT is a collaborative approach! The therapy is provided by trained clinicians who are specifically certified in PCIT. Typically, PCIT treatment lasts between 14-16 weeks, with sessions held once a week (60 minutes per session), offered in-person with live coaching. During each session, the therapist will guide the parent while the child engages in play. Since play is a child's natural form of communication, this allows the parent to learn and practice new skills in a relaxed, non-threatening environment.
PCIT consists of two phases:
Child Directed Interaction (CDI) and Parent Directed Interaction (PDI). In the CDI phase, parents learn specific techniques for praising their child while the child takes the lead in play. The therapist provides immediate, positive feedback to guide and reinforce the parent's effective use of these skills. Once the parent has mastered the CDI techniques, the therapy transitions to the PDI phase. In PDI, play continues to be used as the medium, but the parent focuses on learning how to give directions and set limits in a calm, neutral way. Parents receive coaching during weekly sessions and practice these skills during their five minutes of daily homework.
Effectiveness of PCIT...
The effectiveness of PCIT lies in its unique approach, where the parent actively participates in the session alongside their child, with the therapist also engaging in the process. The strong foundation established during the CDI phase helps the child become more receptive to the limits and boundaries set, making them more willing to follow rules. PCIT is a collaborative and evidence-based therapy, meaning it has been scientifically tested in over 300 research studies over the past five decades, with the findings published in leading psychology journals. PCIT helps in the learning of setting limits in a healthy and effective way that increases the positive relationships between parent and child!
Adopting Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) at Boys and Girls Village will equip parents with the skills to manage their children's behavior, promoting healthier family dynamics and positive developmental outcomes." ~ Joanna Hyska, LMSW, EDT Clinician
For information please contact: our PCIT, Program Manager at 203-877-0300