Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is based on play therapy models. It teaches parents how to work with their children in much the same way that a play therapist will build rapport and engagement. There are two components of this: Child Directed Interaction (CDI), and Parent Directed Interaction (PDI).

CDI - Learning to Become a Parent Play Therapist:

Child directed interaction is where the child leads the content of the play. This is most often what we integrate in our office as a way to build a relationship and engagement with our client.

During the CDI, or “special play time” as I often term it for kids, we play for 5 minutes. During this time, I do not take the lead at all. I let the child choose what activities they do, and the whole time, I’m engaged in the following three components:

1. Reflecting/paraphrasing the child’s speech

2. Describing the child’s behaviors

3. Specific praise of the positive behaviors seen in play

The most challenging part: not jumping in to redirect, lead the play, or make suggestions.