What is PCIT (& Why We Love It!)
Written by Courtney Chamerski, LCSW - PCIT and PMT Coordinator at Mind Chicago
Parents often come to us saying things like:
🕊️ “I just want our home to feel peaceful again.”
😌 “I wish we could get through a day without so much arguing.”
💤 “I love my child, but I’m exhausted.”
Beneath all of these words is a quiet longing: I want to feel close to my child again — and I want things to feel easier.
When parenting starts to feel more like reacting on autopilot than truly connecting… or when everyday moments end in frustration, miscommunication, or power struggles more often than not, it can be hard to imagine a different way. That’s where Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) comes in. It brings real hope, practical tools, and a path back to connection.
So, what is pcit?
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a short-term, research-backed therapy for children ages 2–7. Typically, families meet for weekly 60-minute sessions over 12–20 weeks. What makes PCIT unique is its live-coaching model: instead of trying to remember strategies later, parents practice in the moment with their child, guided gently by a certified PCIT therapist.
As one parent put it:
“I’ve been given advice before, but PCIT was the first time someone actually coached me through it. I wasn’t guessing anymore.”
The therapist doesn’t take over. Instead, they guide small shifts — changes in tone, pacing, following your child’s lead, giving calm and clear instructions — that ripple into big changes. PCIT isn’t about “fixing” a child or blaming parents. It’s about rebuilding connection and giving families tools that actually work and feel doable.
The two phases — First connection, then clarity
Child-Directed Interaction (CDI): Rebuilding Connection
The first part of PCIT is called Child-Directed Interaction (CDI). In CDI, the child leads play and the parent follows. The goal isn’t to correct behavior — it’s to reconnect, rebuild trust, and strengthen attachment. Parents learn to respond in ways that say: “I see you. I’m interested. I value what you do.”
Over time, this builds safety, calm, and emotional security. Children relax, explore, and respond better when they feel seen and understood. That security becomes the foundation for greater, deeper change.
Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI): Calm, Consistent Structure
Once connection feels secure, families move into the second part of PCIT called Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI). Here, parents focus on clarity, structure, and respectful limit-setting. Parents learn to give calm, clear, developmentally appropriate instructions, including shifting tone and timing — all in service of being a helpful guide to their child.
PDI reduces reactivity, increases consistency, and helps children feel regulated, confident, and capable. Routines and transitions get smoother, arguments decrease, and cooperation increases.
Who is PCIT for (& Why is it worth considering)
PCIT has a strong track record (backed up by research) of helping families — especially when children:
Have frequent tantrums or meltdowns
Struggle with listening, transitions, or following directions
Show impulsivity, hyperactivity, aggression, or defiance
Get overwhelmed by routine changes, emotions, or sensory input
PCIT is just as powerful for parents who:
Want to feel calmer and more confident in their parenting
Are tired of yelling, power struggles, or feeling stuck
Want deeper connection and more positive interactions
Want practical, research-backed tools
What the Research Says
PCIT is one of the most studied parent-child therapies available. Research shows it leads to fewer behavioral challenges, better emotional regulation, stronger parent-child attachment, and reduced parenting stress.
For children with ADHD, PCIT helps with emotional regulation, listening, following directions, and decreasing impulsive responses — all in a predictable, compassionate structure. Because PCIT focuses on both relationship and structure, the changes last. Children build real skills, and parents gain lasting confidence.
Why We Love PCIT at Mind Chicago
At Mind Chicago, we combine compassion with science. PCIT does the same. It’s more than just behavior management — it’s a way to reconnect, restore calm, and build skills that stick.
PCIT helps families move from daily chaos to consistent calm. Children feel safe and understood. Parents feel capable and supported.
If you’ve ever wished parenting could feel easier — or felt stuck in a cycle of frustration with your child — PCIT could be the change you’ve been looking for.
Want to Learn More?
Reach out to us at Mind Chicago. We’re happy to answer questions, explain what starting PCIT would look like, and help you see if it’s the right fit for your family.
