Virtual Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Does your child struggle to listen to instructions?
Do you find yourself saying “no, don’t, or stop” multiple times a day?
Does your child engage in behaviors that drive you crazy, like hitting, spitting, yelling, or name calling?
Does it seem like your child is constantly seeking your attention?
Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a powerful, short-term behavioral therapy developed to reduce problem behaviors and help parents feel less frustrated and more effective in their parenting.
Unlike traditional play therapy — where the clinician works directly with your child — virtual PCIT positions you, the parent, as the primary agent of change. And unlike self-paced parent coaching programs, your therapist provides live, in-the-moment guidance every step of the way, right in your own home.
During each session, you interact with your child while your therapist observes remotely and coaches you in real time. This highly personalized, hands-on approach allows you to practice and master evidence-based strategies as behaviors unfold naturally within your home.
PCIT was designed to help young children and their caregivers build stronger, healthier relationships. Research shows that PCIT delivered online is just as effective — and in some cases even more effective — than traditional in-person sessions.
Online PCIT has been shown to support children from around ages 2 to 8 years, addressing concerns such as behavioral problems, toddler tantrums, ADHD-related behaviors, anxiety, mood difficulties, and more.
PCIT is taught in 2 phases with positive changes often seen after just a few appointments.
Child-Directed Interaction (CDI) is the initial, relationship-focused phase of PCIT, designed to strengthen attachment and reduce behavioral problems in children aged 2–8. Parents learn to follow their child’s lead in play, utilizing parent-led skills to increase positive communication and warmth while decreasing problem behaviors (e.g. yelling, hitting, biting, non-compliance, etc.).
Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI) is the second phase of PCIT, focusing on teaching skills to help your child become a better listener.
It empowers caregivers to use clear, direct commands, consistent discipline, and structured consequences to reduce child aggression, poor listening, and disruption. PDI teaches parents to be more effective when giving instructions.
Now to those questions I asked earlier:
Does your child struggle to listen to instructions?
PCIT supports improved listening.
Do you find yourself saying “no, don’t, or stop” multiple times a day?
PCIT helps parents shift from frequent negative commands (“no,” “don’t,” “stop”) to clear, positive “what to do” instructions. By focusing on direct, specific guidance, children learn exactly what’s expected of them — making it easier to complete tasks successfully and build confidence along the way.
Does your child engage in behaviors that drive you crazy, like hitting, spitting, yelling, or name calling?
PCIT helps decrease problem behaviors and help kids manage their emotions and make better choices.
Does it seem like your child is constantly seeking your attention?
PCIT helps flip the script where children learn that it feels good to be a good listener and to make good choices, thereby decreasing the tendency to seek negative attention.
Book a consultation today to set up PCIT services.
For more information, please visit: https://www.pcit.org/