7 Must-Ask Questions When Choosing a PCIT Therapist
When your child is struggling with big feelings and even bigger behaviors, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and unsure where to turn. Maybe you’ve tried time-outs, time-ins, sticker charts, parenting books, or even other therapies—only to feel like nothing’s really working. If you’ve landed here, you’ve probably heard about Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and may be wondering: How do I find the right PCIT therapist for my family?
Below are 7 questions to guide your search—and help you find a trusted PCIT therapist near you.
1. Is Your PCIT Therapist Officially Certified?
The truth is, not all therapists who say they have “PCIT experience” have been intensively trained, supervised, or certified in this highly specialized form of child behavioral therapy. PCIT works best when it’s delivered with fidelity—that means your therapist is using the approach the way it was proven to work in research. So to make sure you're working with a provider who’s qualified, ask whether they’ve been certified by one of the four major PCIT training bodies:
These organizations verify that therapists have completed formal coursework, supervised hours, graduated cases, and meet fidelity guidelines. They also verify continuing education in PCIT to ensure your provider is up to date on the most current practices. You can usually confirm certification on the training body’s website or by asking the therapist, directly.
Excellent PCIT outcomes can still be achieved by therapists who are in the certification process. If the therapist you are considering is still in training, it can be helpful to ask about their experience in child therapy and PCIT so far, what kind of supervision they are receiving, and how that will impact your PCIT experience.
For more on what PCIT involves and why fidelity matters, check out our cornerstone blog all about PCIT Therapy.
2. Has Your PCIT Therapist Worked With Kids Like Yours?
PCIT is incredibly effective for a wide range of behavior and emotional problems in young children—but every child and family is unique. If your child has a history of ADHD, Autism, trauma, or a medical condition, it's worth finding a therapist with experience in that area. Specialized knowledge can make a big difference in sharing the same language with your PCIT therapist and feeling confident that they can tailor PCIT therapy to your family’s needs.
If you have questions about treating ADHD, check out our blog on PCIT for ADHD, where we explain how PCIT supports attention, regulation, and parent-child connection.
3. What’s Your PCIT Therapist’s Setup—Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid?
Some PCIT therapists offer virtual PCIT using telehealth, while others provide in-person sessions at their office, or a hybrid model. Ask about the format and what’s required of you—whether you’ll need to arrange your own childcare for siblings during in-office visits, or need a certain type of headphones, internet connection, or setup at home for PCIT online.
Many families find virtual PCIT more convenient, but some may be looking for in-person visits. Research shows that these methods are both just as effective—what matters is that the provider is trained and confident in delivering PCIT in that format.
If you're curious about how online sessions work, visit our page on Virtual PCIT to learn more about setup, effectiveness, and what to expect.
And if you're searching for a PCIT therapist in California or a PSYPACT State, check out our PCIT in California page or the PSYPACT website to see if your state qualifies.
4. Do Their PCIT Therapy Hours Fit In Your Routine?
Consistency is a core part of PCIT. Between weekly sessions and daily at-home practice, research shows the most consistent families graduate the fastest and see the most change. If you’re juggling work, school drop-offs, nap schedules, or other therapies, it’s helpful to find a provider whose availability fits into your life so you can consistently attend appointments and create quicker change in your home. Ask potential providers if they offer weekend sessions, evening appointments, or flexibility around school, work, and nap schedules. You may need to flex your schedule for a little while, but working with a therapist whose availability aligns with your routine can make a big difference in lowering stress throughout the process.
5. What’s the Cost of PCIT—and What Are Your Options?
PCIT is often a short-term investment in long-term, high-impact change—but it’s still a big decision. Because PCIT is a specialty service, it’s not always easy to find in-network providers with openings, advanced training, or a strong fit for your family. That’s why many families explore out-of-network or private pay options.
Working with an out-of-network provider often means greater flexibility in scheduling, quicker access to care, and specialized support that may not be available within insurance networks. If you're considering this route, don’t hesitate to ask questions to help you make an informed decision.
Clarify with Your PCIT Therapist:
Are they in-network or out-of-network with your plan?
What is the cost per session?
Do they provide a superbill (an itemized receipt) for you to submit to your insurance for reimbursement?
What CPT codes do they use, so you can ask your insurance how much they’ll cover?
PCIT is designed to be completed in months, not years, and can reduce the need for future therapies and behavioral supports. For many families, it's a valuable investment in a short-term, evidence-based solution with strong research outcomes—but it’s important that the financial side makes sense for you, too.
6. Why Choose This PCIT Therapist Over Another?
If you’re in the lucky position to choose among well-trained and certified PCIT therapists, it's helpful to look at what makes them uniquely suited to help your family—not just whether they can offer PCIT, but how they do it.
Some PCIT therapists bring extra training in areas like trauma, toddler development, ADHD, medical complexity, or bilingual care. Others specialize in working with specific family constellations or cultural backgrounds. Within the structured PCIT model, a great therapist knows how to tailor their approach to fit your values, parenting style, and day-to-day realities.
And while PCIT is often completed in just months, some families want to know they can return later—whether for a booster session, follow-up questions, or support with new challenges as their child grows.
Ask Your PCIT Therapist…
What do you love about being a PCIT therapist?
What sets your PCIT experience apart from others?
How do you personalize care within the PCIT structure?
What happens after we finish PCIT—can we return if other issues come up?
Do you offer ongoing support, booster sessions, or refer out after graduation if other help is needed?
You deserve to feel understood, respected, and supported—not just as a parent, but as the expert on your child. When a therapist can clearly answer these questions, and lights up while talking about helping families grow and connect, that's usually a great sign.
To learn more about how we personalize care at every step, visit our main PCIT service page.
7. Trust Your Gut: Do You Feel Comfortable?
By the time families begin PCIT, they’re often emotionally raw from trying to find the right care for their child’s needs. Starting PCIT can feel very vulnerable as you put your trust in a PCIT therapist to bear live witness to some of the most challenging moments in your parenting journey. You’ll work closely with this person week after week—so don’t ignore your gut. Do they communicate clearly? Do they seem warm, confident, and respectful? Do you feel judged or supported? The right PCIT therapist for you will help you feel capable, empowered, and hopeful—never shamed or silenced.
After your first call or meeting with a PCIT therapist, ask yourself:
Do I feel heard and respected?
Do I feel like this person can help me and my child?
Do they explain things clearly and warmly?
The right PCIT therapist for you will feel like a partner, joining with you on this journey and guiding you towards the future you want for your family.
Final Thoughts
With virtual PCIT therapy and cross-state pacts for professionals like PSYPACT, families have more options than ever in choosing a PCIT therapist. Whether you’re searching for a PCIT therapist near you or exploring options across your state, asking these questions can help you feel confident and informed. The right support is out there—you just need to know what to look for.
Looking for a PCIT Therapist in California or a PSYPACT State? Start Right Here.
Whether you’re looking for a certified PCIT therapist in California or a PSYPACT State, my boutique online therapy practice may be the right fit for your family. You’ll find my answers to many of these questions in the “Request for Consultation” form below — and if our schedules line up, I’ll answer any other questions you may have about working with me in a free 15-minute phone consultation.
Not sure if PCIT is right for you? That’s okay! We’ll talk about your family’s needs and goals, other online therapy options, and ways to decide next steps.