Hands holding a black paper heart. This represents parent child connection that results from Parent Child Interaction Therapy. My PCIT therapy is available across California and all PSYPACT States.

When your child is struggling, you try everything to find the right supports for them. By day, you're fielding meltdowns and big emotions, just trying to get their basic needs met. By night, you're scrolling—reading blogs, watching videos, and relentlessly searching to find answers. If this sounds familiar, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a research-backed, relationship-centered approach for children who are struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges. It gives parents the tools to respond calmly, consistently, and effectively. No more piecing together tips and language suggestions from different sources. PCIT is a comprehensive program that helps you apply specific skills in real time with your child. To learn more about what PCIT therapy is and how PCIT works, read our cornerstone blog all about Parent Child Interaction Therapy.

But investing your time and energy in a new approach is an important decision. So how do you know if Parent Child Interaction Therapy is right fit for your child's needs? Here are 7 signs your child (and your family) might benefit from PCIT therapy:

1. Your child often refuses to follow directions.

You ask them to pick up their toys or get dressed, and you’re met with “no,” running away, or total silence. Maybe they even specifically do the opposite of your request. Many young children test limits—but when refusals become the norm it’s a sign that more help is needed.

Girl with face in hands, angry pouting. This represents a defiant child who would benefit from Parent Child Interaction Therapy, available from San Francisco to Los Angeles and across California.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy improves cooperation.

PCIT builds a strong parent-child connection that improves cooperation by preventing escalation. It teaches specific language when giving instructions so children will listen. Your PCIT therapist supports you in responding to real-time misbehavior calmly and consistently. With simple changes, many families see big improvements in just weeks to months.

2. You’re managing daily tantrums, meltdowns, or aggression.

When your child has frequent meltdowns -- yelling, hitting, or throwing things -- it can be hard on the whole family. It may also be a sign your child is struggling with emotional regulation or overstimulation. Maybe your child's behavior is also interfering with school performance and friendships. Big feelings and "bad" behaviors can feel unsettling or promote low self-esteem in kids who experience them, too.

Shirtless boy squeezing blue yoga ball and shouting to the sky. This represents child aggression and behavior problems that are treated by Parent Child Interaction Therapy. Services available in SoCal -Los Angeles and Orange County, California.

PCIT Therapy improves emotion regulation.

In PCIT, your therapist watches your child's behavior unfold in real time. PCIT therapists are uniquely suited to identify what might be leading up to a meltdown. PCIT therapists watch and coach from a remote location while you play with your child. So they are an extra set of eyes and ears, noticing all the factors influencing your child's responses, in the moment. With a clear understanding of the why behind your child's behavior, your therapist can coach you what you can do about it. PCIT teaches parents how to respond calmly, set limits, and model good emotion regulation for kids. Behavior change seen in PCIT also tends to extend to the school and peer social environments, and PCIT has been shown to increase self-esteem in kids.

3. You feel like you’re always yelling or repeating yourself.

Has your go-to phrase has become “How many times do I have to say it?” Sometimes you're not sure if your kid really didn't hear you, or they're just acting that way. Maybe you're sick of not being heard, and feeling disrespected as a parent.

Woman with eyes closed and hands folded, appearing stressed. This represents a mom who is trying to cope with child behavior problems, and would benefit from Parent Child Interaction Therapy in Southern California.

PCIT teaches effective parenting language.

PCIT shifts the focus from nagging to noticing—so instead of repeating commands, you’re focusing on the behaviors you want to see and getting more cooperation as a result. When you really need to give an instruction, PCIT teaches effective ways to give directions that kids are more likely to listen to.

4. You’ve already tried books, podcasts, and even other therapies.

You've put in the work—reading, listening, watching, maybe even working with a therapist. But nothing has created lasting change, and your child’s behavior still leaves you feeling defeated.

Child reading while sitting on a tall stack of books. This represents families having tried to find solutions to child behavior problems in books before turning to Parent Child Interaction Therapy in California.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy works when other tools don’t.

PCIT offers something different: live coaching in real time, helping you apply proven strategies with direct support from a trained therapist. Unlike play therapy, the PCIT therapist isn't even in the room most of the time (but is coaching from afar). In this way, PCIT is designed for your child to see you as the main source of connection and consistency.

Many sources may have good tips, but have very little real-life support for how to put them in place. Or they don't account for your child and family's unique situation. Many times, families tell me parenting skills haven't worked for them before. But when they go through live PCIT coaching, they have a lightbulb "Aha!" moment of the exact timing, language, and combination of skills needed for results. They're then able to take those skills and replicate the results in their child's real life.

5. You have concerns about ADHD.

Whether you’re still in the wait-and-see stage or have already received a diagnosis, many kids with ADHD struggle with impulse control, attention, and emotional regulation. Maybe you yourself have ADHD, and feel constantly overwhelmed with how to respond to your child's behaviors.

Parents sitting on couch with hands to head, stressed, as two children run around them. This represents parenting stress experienced before families find Parent Child Interaction Therapy for ADHD in California & PSYPACT states

PCIT is a great fit for ADHD.

A great PCIT therapist helps parents respond in ways that honor your child's and/or your own neurodiversity -- while also reducing reactivity. PCIT is easily tailored for different parent learning styles, and is a proven approach to help ADHD behaviors in kids. Even the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend it as a first-line treatment. Learn more about PCIT for ADHD in this blog post.

6. Your life feels limited because of their behavior.

If you avoid outings, skip events, or say “no” to things you used to enjoy because of your child’s behavior, you’re not alone. Many families quietly build their lives around avoiding meltdowns. Well-meaning loved ones might tell you to get away, take some "me" time. But you can't hire a babysitter because of how uncooperative your child can be.

Mother, father, and son at a restaurant, clinking drinks. This represents a celebration of being able to take child out in public after completing Parent Child Interaction Therapy in California.

PCIT therapy opens doors for your family.

PCIT brings more consistency and predictability to your child’s expectations and your responses to their behavior. One of the key features of PCIT is applying the skills to public places. You'll work with your therapist to identify places where it is challenging to bring your child. Then you'll learn to apply PCIT skills to prevent and address behavior in those environments. You even have the option of your therapist coming with you (live or virtually) to coach you through one of those outings in real time. You can feel confident taking your children more places—and enjoy being together in public again.

For some families, it can even be difficult getting your child out of the house to attend therapy. Virtual PCIT therapy is a great, effective option that gets you access from your own home.

7. You just want a stronger, calmer connection with your child.

You may feel like you're missing the fun, connection, and joy you hoped parenting would bring. You love your child, but it may take a lot of your patience and energy to spend quality time with them. No one wants to feel this way -- it's not your kid's fault, and it's not your fault. You just need to find the right parent coaching for your family.

Bird's eye view of boy holding red paper heart. This represents connected parent child interactions after virtual Parent child therapy in California.

Parent Child Interaction Therapy helps you enjoy time together.

At the heart of PCIT is building warm, connected bonds between parents and children. The very first skills you learn are focused on positive play and communication. You work with your coach on creating a consistently positive daily play time with your child. As you get encouragement and direction from your coach, you notice your child engaging more positively with you, too. One of my favorite parts of PCIT is watching kids' faces light up when a parent can genuinely say, "I'm having a lot of fun playing with you." And watching parents melt when they hear "I love playing with you, too."

Is PCIT Therapy Right for Your Family?

Hands holding one another. This represents results of better parent child interaction after virtual PCIT in California.

PCIT can be a great fit for children ages 2 to 7 who are experiencing:

Tantrums or frequent emotional outbursts
Defiance or refusal to follow directions
Aggression (hitting, biting, throwing)
Attention or impulse control challenges
Difficulty with transitions or boundaries
Struggles with friendships or social skills
Trouble interacting well with siblings
Anxiety and mood fluctuations

PCIT can be adapted for toddlers (ages 0-3) and older children (ages 7-11), too.

Even if you’ve other strategies before, PCIT offers something unique: live support, real-time feedback, and a proven structure that empowers parents to create lasting change at home.

Ready to Explore the Benefits of PCIT Therapy and Virtual PCIT?

If this list sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to keep doing this on your own. My online therapy practice offers PCIT therapy for families who are ready for calm, confidence, and connection. Whether you’re in Los Angeles or Orange County, or up in the San Francisco Bay Area, parent coaching is available across California. Get in touch to learn more about PCIT therapy in California. As a PSYPACT authorized provider, I offer coast-to-coast coverage for families in over 40 US States. From Washington to North Carolina, Wisconsin to Connecticut, PCIT online is available to you! Click here to learn if your state qualifies as a PSYPACT State. Book your free consultation to start your PCIT journey, today!

Book Your FREE PCIT Consultation, Today!

Other Online Therapy Specialties for CA & PSYPACT

If you’re you’re not sure about PCIT but still looking for help, reach out anyway. As a child therapist and health psychologist, I offer a number of tailored, evidence-based therapies for individuals and families, like CBT and ACT. My online therapy practice only includes therapies that have been proven to work just as well, virtually. With a background working in medical and hospital settings, I also offer niche services like diabetes therapy and chronic illness therapy. If you’d like to get in touch, complete a consultation request form to help get us started.

Is PCIT Right for Your Child? — 7 Signs to Consider