Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a short-term, specialized behavior management program designed for young children experiencing behavioral and/or emotional difficulties and their families. PCIT works with the child and caregiver together to improve overall behavior and to reduce parenting stress.

To read a recent article from the Oklahoman about PCIT, please click here!

• Improve the parent/caregiver-child relationship
• Improve your child’s minding and listening
• Increase your child’s ability to manage frustration and anger
• Increase your child’s appropriate social skills
• Improve your child’s attention skills
• Build your child’s self-esteem

PCIT is designed for young children between the ages of 2 and 7 years and
PCIT has been successful with:

• Children with oppositional/defiant problems
• Children with aggressive behaviors
• Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Children experiencing adjustment problems
• Children impacted by substance abuse
• Children impacted by abuse/neglect
• Children in foster care placement
• Children recently adopted
• Children reunited with parents

PCIT requires a 12-14 week commitment by the parent/caregiver and child with one session per week

Children with challenging behaviors often have difficulty in home, childcare, and school settings. Parents/caregivers report problems going out in public such as to stores and to restaurants. Stress levels are high for the parents/caregivers and also between them and their children. Unfortunately, children rarely outgrow many of the difficult behaviors. Should their behaviors continue or increase, they are likely to interfere with the children’s learning abilities and development of appropriate social skills.

The overall effectiveness of PCIT has been well-established through scientific research. Positive changes in the children’s behaviors have been seen in home, school, and childcare settings. These changes have even been noted in siblings of children participating in PCIT. At the completion of PCIT, parents/caregivers generally report a high level of satisfaction and decreased stress levels.

Most importantly, children participating in PCIT with their parents/caregivers increase their ability to reach their full potential. 

For information on the PCIT room setup, click on the link to the right

For more information about receiving PCIT at the Child Study Center, please call 405-271-5700 x 45128. For a list of PCIT therapists in Oklahoma, please click here or on the link in the menu box on the right side of this page.