Overview of PCIT Training

Becoming a Certified PCIT Therapist

Mother and Child Coloring

The Parent Child Interaction Therapy Essential Training Program is a comprehensive, year-long training package that includes:

  • 5 days (40 hours) of on-site training
  • One year of weekly training/consultation
  • Review of recorded sessions with your PCIT clients
  • All PCIT Training Materials

CLICK HERE to Register for PCIT Training

PCIT Essential Training

Certification in PCIT begins with 40 hours (5 days) of on-site professional training.  The initial three days focuses on the first phase of PCIT (Child-Directed Interaction).  The remaining two days targets the second phase of the PCIT Intervention (Parent-Directed Interaction). 

The PCIT Essential Training includes a wide variety of strategies (interactive presentations, demonstrations, training videos, discussions, feedback) to help trainees understand the fundamental elements of PCIT.  The workshop also includes frequent skills training and practice of PCIT techniques, including live practice with children.

The PCIT Essential Training also include discussions (and practice) of PCIT skills for challenging circumstances, such as children with:

  • Severe disruptive behavior problems
  • Histories of abuse and neglect
  • Problematic Attachment
  • Brothers/Sisters who also have disruptive behaviors

Brief Overview of 5-Day Training

Day 1:

PCIT Training Overview and Introductions
Introduction to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy
Identifying and Starting a PCIT Case
Assessing the Quality of the Parent-Child Interactions – Learning to Use the
Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (PCIT Observation System)
Introduction to Child-Directed Interaction
Live Practice of Child-Directed Interaction Skills

Day 2:

Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System – Coding Practice
Teaching Caregivers to Use CDI Skills
Introduction to CDI Coaching
CDI Skills Coaching Practice
Advanced Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Coding Practice
Interactive Presentation – Frequently Asked Questions in CDI
Mock CDI Session – Live CDI Skills & Coaching Practice with Children

Day 3:

Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Coding Practice
CDI Skills Coaching Practice
CDI Coaching Challenges
CDI Quiz
Mock CDI Session – Live CDI Skills & Coaching Practice with Children
Next Steps for PCIT Training

Day 4:

Introduction to Parent-Directed Interaction
Advanced Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Coding Practice
Parent-Directed Interaction Skills Practice
Introduction to PDI Coding
PDI Skills Coaching Practice
Later Stages of PDI Phase
Mock PDI Session – Live Coaching Practice of Parent-Directed Interaction Skills

Day 5:

PCIT Research
Advanced Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System Coding Practice
PDI Skills Coaching Practice
Parent-Directed Interaction Coaching Challenges
Interactive Presentation – Frequently Asked Questions in PDI
PDI Quiz
PDI Skills Check-Off
Next Steps for PCIT Certification

CLICK HERE to Register for PCIT Training

Weekly Web-Based Training / Consultation

The Parent Child Interaction Therapy Essential Training Package also includes one year of weekly web-based trainings.  These web-based meetings provide additional training time to learn and review PCIT strategies that may not have been thoroughly covered within the 5-day workshop.

In addition, these web-based meetings are designed to help problem-solve common (as well as unique) challenges that might arise while trainees complete at least two PCIT cases with their actual clients.

At the end of one year, most PCIT Trainees will have completed their two PCIT cases.  However, additional web-based training is available to trainees who have not completed their first two PCIT cases.

Review of Recorded Sessions with PCIT Clients

In order to become a PCIT Certified Therapist, trainees must have actual therapy sessions observed by a PCIT Trainer.  Observations may be conducted in real-time (e.g., live sessions, telehealth) or through video or audio recording.

As part of the PCIT Training Package, trainees will receive feedback of up to six video-recorded sessions (four videos are required for PCIT Certification).

PCIT Training Materials

  1. PCIT International Protocol
    (Eyberg & Funderburk, 2011)
    The official 2011 Parent-Child Interaction Therapy treatment protocol.  The protocol includes detailed session outlines for every PCIT session.  The protocol also includes session forms, caregiver handouts, and teacher information.
  2. Dyadic-Parent Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) – Clinical Manual
    (Eyberg, Chase, Fernandez, & Nelson, 2014)
    The DPICS is designed to measure the quality of caregiver-child social interactions and behavioral changes in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy.  The coding system serves as a guide for treatment decisions.  PCIT therapists routinely use the DPICS:

    1. As a Pre-Treatment assessment of caregiver-child interactions (baseline data)
    2. To provide an ongoing, weekly assessment of treatment progress
    3. To evaluate treatment outcomes with each PCIT family
  3. Dyadic-Parent Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS) – Clinical Workbook
    (Fernandez, Chase, Eyberg, & Nelson, 2015)
    The DPICS Workbook was designed to accompany the content in the DPICS Clinical Manual.  This workbook includes a series of exercises to help trainees master the coding guidelines for all clinical categories.
  4. PCIT Training Binder
    The PCIT Training Binder includes copies of all Workshop Training Presentations.  Additionally, the binder includes supplemental handouts, materials for observation rooms, and additional cultural resources (e.g., Spanish handouts).   

CLICK HERE to Register for PCIT Training

PCIT Protocols