Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a short-term, research-backed method that helps families turn daily chaos into opportunities for connection. Originally designed for kids ages 2–7, PCIT is also adaptable for children up to age 11. This approach has been proven to outperform other kinds of child therapy in creating lasting behavior changes.

Unlike most therapies where the clinician works directly with the child, PCIT is built on the idea that you (the parent) are the agent of change. I’ll teach you practical skills that help your child feel more confident, cooperate more easily, and manage big feelings without falling into the same patterns.

We start with an orientation and thorough history so I can learn about your child, your family, and your daily routines. In the first few sessions, I’ll guide you through a set of structured play scenarios while I observe and code what’s happening using PCIT’s specialized assessment system. 

Behind the scenes, I’m tracking real numbers—how often certain skills are used, how your child responds, and the specific patterns that matter for long-term behavior change. Most parents find it reassuring to know that this isn’t guesswork, we’re gathering concrete data and using research-backed benchmarks to shape your treatment plan.

From there, I’ll teach you the exact skills your child needs, explain the “why” behind each one, and make sure you feel comfortable practicing them before we move into live coaching.

In each session, you and your child play while I observe and coach you through a small earpiece—offering real-time guidance on what to say, when to step in, and exactly how to apply PCIT skills in ways that build connection and cooperation. The beauty of doing this virtually is that all this takes place in your home, where you can follow your child from room to room with me still in your ear.

Many parents tell me this is the “lightbulb moment” when they finally understand the timing, tone, and language that make these strategies work. Between sessions, you’ll receive a written summary of your progress and action items for the week so you can practice what you learn for a few minutes each day. That way, you’ll never have to guess what to do next.

PCIT unfolds in two phases. In the first, we focus on using positive attention and attunement to strengthen your relationship, calm the home environment, and boost your child’s self-esteem. 

Once you meet those first goals, we pause and really look at what’s at the root of the behaviors you've been seeing. We review you and your child's remaining needs and challenges, figure out whether your child needs sensory coping tools, clearer boundary language, or other supports first, and build those in together. Only after those pieces are in place do we introduce limit-setting for the truly serious or safety-related behaviors. My approach is always compassionate, fair, and neuroaffirming—never compliance for the sake of compliance.

Most families complete PCIT in 12–20 sessions (3-5 months) and graduate once they’ve hit key skills benchmarks proven to predict long-term success. I’ll provide before-and-after data snapshots so you can see just how far you and your child have come.

This approach works because it’s practical, measurable, and focuses on the relationship between you and your child. You’re not just talking about problems, you’re solving them live, in the moments that matter most. And because PCIT with me is done virtually, I can coach you right in your home—where your child’s daily life happens. You’ll have data that shows your child’s progress and the confidence that comes from knowing why it’s working.