Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Does your child have tantrums that feel out of control? Do you frequently find yourself struggling with your child’s behavior problems? Is your child aggressive, destructive, or noncompliant? If so, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy might be a good fit for you and your child.
What is PCIT
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is a treatment created for young children with behavioral problems. PCIT is unique due to the therapist acting as a coach to the parent while you and the child are in a playroom together. The PCIT therapist is watching you interact with your child through a one-way mirror. The parent wears a “bug-in-the-ear” device that allows the therapist to provide in-the-moment coaching on skills they are learning to improve their relationship with the child and address behavioral concerns. PCIT is divided into two phases. In the first phase, parents learn how to play with their child and foster a nurturing and supportive relationship. In the second phase, parents are taught effective discipline strategies to manage their child’s behavior. For more information on PCIT and its effectiveness, visit www.pcit.org.
Who Does PCIT Help?
PCIT is a highly effective treatment for a variety of conditions. It is commonly used to treat the following diagnoses and/or symptoms in children:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Conduct Disorder
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Adjustment Disorders
- Behavioral problems such as: tantrums, aggression, defiance or willful behavior, and destructive behavior
Why PCIT?
PCIT is considered a gold-standard approach for managing young children with behavior problems. These improvements often have long-lasting effects to improve the family’s dynamic and daily functioning.
Parents experience:
- Improved relationship with the child
- Increased confidence in managing behaviors
- Strong parenting skills that are reliable in all settings
- Reduced stress on family unit
Children experience:
- A significant reduction in aggression, disruptive behaviors, and defiance
- Stronger, more secure attachment to parental figures
- Enhanced compliance
- Better emotional regulation
Why Choose PCIT at Auxilium?
Dr. Katie Smeraglia, Ph.DAuxilium is pleased to offer a PCIT clinic with professionals who specialize in this therapeutic approach. Dr. Katie Smeraglia, Ph.D., is a Licensed Psychologist and PCIT Within-Agency Trainer. This qualifies her to monitor and certify therapists to ensure families get quality service and care. Dr. Smeraglia’s team typically consists of licensed therapist and doctoral students who aim to specialize working with children and families.
Contact Us
If you believe PCIT could benefit you and your child, contacts us today to schedule an appointment. PCIT requires that families meet with a therapist once a week and attend consistently. Dr. Smeraglia has limited availability but oversees all PCIT cases in the clinic seen by licensed therapists and doctoral students.
