Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

PCIT is an innovative, brief term, award-winning coaching approach proven to enhance parent-child relationships, help parents increase their child's self reliance and social skills as well as effectively address their child's problem behavior.

Parent/caregiver and child are seen together. Standing behind a one-way mirror, the therapist coach observes the parent-child interaction as it takes place and teaches the parent new parenting skills through a wireless earphone "in the moment". The skills coached are designed to strengthen the parent-child bond, decrease ineffective discipline methods, improve the child's social skills and cooperation, and reduce the child's negative and maladaptive behaviors.

		More than thirty (50) PCIT outcome studies reported in the professional literature support PCIT: as producing long term behavioral changes (Source: Hood, K.K., & Eyberg, S.M., Outcome of PCIT: mothers' reports of maintenance three to six years after treatment" Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32, 419-429); as a "best practices" approach for the treatment of child abuse (Source: Chadwick Center for Children and Families, San Diego, 2004.) Author at www.chadwickcenter.org/Kauffman.htm finds PCIT as a cost/benefit effective early intervention. (Source: Washington State Institute of Public Policy paper, "Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs of Youth", 9/04); and as one of six evidence-based child related treatment interventions (Source: California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC), Working Strategies Newsletter, Vol. 11, Issue 2, 2007-2008).
Helps Build Healthy Relationships

A statistical analysis of treatment outcomes of families seen 10 or more visits in CGC's PCIT program by the UC Davis Child and Adolescent Abuse Resource and Evaluation Training Team (a nationally recognized leader in PCIT research and methodology) showed significant decreases in the number of problems reported, the frequency and severity of those problems, and the level of stress experienced by the parents in their parental roles.

Child Guidance Center, Inc.'s (CGC) PCIT program opened in 2004 and is offered in conjunction with the UC Davis, Medical Center. With eighteen (18) fully trained PCIT therapists, six (6) more in training, and fourteen (14) specially-equiped treatment rooms, CGC has provided PCIT services to over 1200 familes and children since its inception.

CGC's PCIT sites include: Mission Viejo, Buena Park, Fullerton, Santa Ana, and the Child Development Center at the Orange County Rescue Mission.

To learn more about PCIT visit www.pcitmethod.com.

For more information about the PCIT program, to make a referral or make an appointment, contact Misty Said, Director of Community Relations, Child Guidance Center, Inc. at (949) 582-3958.

PCIT is offered to Southern California families on a sliding scale fee basis. Information required for insurance reimbursement is provided to families upon request. For those families who qualify, services may be covered by a government program.