PCIT California

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps caregivers build stronger relationships with their children and reduce challenging behaviors. As a California Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE), PCIT provides training, technical assistance, and data-driven support to counties across the state. This page serves as a hub for county leaders to access implementation updates, connect with PCIT resources, and download county-specific snapshots that highlight local progress and impact.

Backed by decades of research, PCIT is proven to improve outcomes for children, families and communities.

ABOUT PCIT

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Sheila Eyberg at the University of Florida as an innovative, evidence-based treatment designed to improve the quality of the parent-child relationship and address challenging behaviors in young children. Rooted in both behavioral and attachment theories, PCIT combines live coaching and real-time feedback for parents as they interact with their child—usually through a one-way mirror and earpiece connection. This hands-on approach helps parents build positive communication skills, reinforce desirable behaviors, and effectively manage disruptive ones. PCIT International, the only organization endorsed by Dr. Eyberg, is proud to serve as the Center of Excellence (COE) for California’s expansion of evidence-based programs for youth and families across the state. PCIT empowers caregivers with practical, research-backed tools they can use daily, strengthening both the emotional bond and behavioral structure essential to a child’s long-term success.

email CALIFORNIA’S PCIT COE

complete engagement initiation form

California’s PCIT Center of Excellence (COE) partners with counties and behavioral health providers to ensure every family can access effective, evidence-based care. Through statewide training, coaching, and data insights, we help local teams deliver measurable results, reducing disruptive behaviors, strengthening family relationships, and improving long-term outcomes for children ages 2 to 7. Interact with our webpage to learn more.

HOW PCIT IS DELIVERED

PCIT IS DELIVERED IN TWO PHASES:

CHILD-DIRECTED INTERACTION (CDI)
Parents learn to follow their child’s lead in play, using specific skills to nurture warmth, attention, and cooperation. This phase strengthens the emotional bond between parent and child.

PARENT-DIRECTED INTERACTION (PDI)
Parents are taught how to give clear instructions, set consistent limits, and follow through with predictable consequences. This helps reduce disruptive behaviors and improve the child’s ability to listen and follow directions.

pcit-lp-img-circles-building-strong-relationships

**PCIT for CALIFORNIA FAMILIES**

Our goal is to help California behavioral health delivery systems and behavioral health practitioners deliver the most effective care possible. We do this by training and supporting the implementation of PCIT, a proven method for improving behavior issues among kids ages 2 to 7.

Select your county from the drop-down to learn more about PCIT in your county.

select your county

County behavioral health agencies:
Interested in initiating consultation with us? Complete an Engagement Initiation Form. If you are a behavioral health practitioner, please coordinate with your county behavioral health plan (BHP).

PCIT RESOURCES

why pcit?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based treatment for young children (ages 2 to 7) with behavior problems such as tantrums, defiance, aggression, and difficulty following directions. PCIT helps parents reduce challenging behavior and improve their child’s emotional and social development, all while building a stronger parent-child relationship.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED THERAPY FOR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based therapy for young children (ages 2 to 7) with disruptive behavior disorders. Rooted in decades of research, PCIT has consistently demonstrated its ability to improve family outcomes, reduce disruptive behavior, and strengthen parent-child relationships across diverse settings.

SCALABLE INTERVENTION WITH LIVE FEEDBACK

Designed as a scalable, structured intervention, PCIT uses live parent coaching to teach caregivers effective behavior management and relationship-building skills in real time. Therapists observe caregiver-child interactions and provide immediate, supportive feedback, helping families achieve measurable improvements quickly and sustainably.

DATA-DRIVEN RESULTS FOR FAMILIES

PCIT’s two-phase model—Child-Directed Interaction (CDI) and Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)—targets both the emotional connection and behavioral compliance essential for long-term child and family success. Outcomes are rigorously measured using standardized tools such as the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) and the Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS), ensuring data-driven clinical decision-making.

SYSTEM-LEVEL BENEFITS OF PCIT

For system-level implementation, PCIT offers significant advantages. It is highly adaptable across community mental health centers, early intervention programs, child welfare systems, and private clinics. PCIT has been shown to decrease caregiver stress, improve placement stability for children in foster care, reduce the need for higher levels of care, and lower long-term service utilization costs.

PCIT’S ROLE IN BROADER SYSTEMIC GOALS

PCIT also supports broader system goals such as expanding access to trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health services.

A SOLUTION FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

Investing in PCIT provides a sustainable, evidence-based mental health solution that improves individual child outcomes while strengthening families and reducing strain on social services. With proper training and fidelity support, PCIT can create meaningful, system-wide change.

PCIT CALIFORNIA LEADERSHIP TEAM

Melanie Nelson
Executive Director

Christy Warner-Metzger
Project Director

Emma-Lorraine Bart-Plange
Implementation Specialist

Yvita Bustos
Implementation Specialist

Silvia Henriquez
Implementation Specialist

Michelle Gilchrist
Implementation Specialist

Naomi Perry
Implementation Specialist

Ciera Schoonover
Implementation Specialist

PCIT JOBS IN CALIFORNIA

We’re hiring several remote Implementation Specialists across California to drive the rollout of the evidence-based Parent‑Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) program. Learn more by clicking on the button below.

LEARN MORE

CENTER of EXCELLENCE: PCIT INTERNATIONAL

PCIT International is proud to serve as a Center of Excellence (COE) for the implementation of PCIT Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) as part of California’s effort to expand access to and strengthen the continuum of community-based behavioral health services for individuals living with significant behavioral health needs. Go to the Behavioral Health COE Resource Hub for information about participating COEs and EBPs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PCIT

For media inquiries, please email Ellen Rose at ellen@trio-solutions.com.

PCIT Data Tools

ECBI: Eyberg, S., & Pincus, D. (1999). Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory & Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory-Revised: Professional Manual. Psychological Assessment Resources. Administered at each session. Available for purchase at: https://www.parinc.com/products/ECBI
DPICS: Eyberg, S. M., Nelson, M. M., Ginn, N. C., Bhuiyan, N., & Boggs, S. R. (2014). Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System (DPICS): Clinical Manual (4th ed.). PCIT International. Administered at each session indicated in protocol. Provided to therapists in training.
Integrity Checklists: Eyberg, S., & Funderburk, B. (2011). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Revision 06/2022. PCIT International. Administered at each session. Provided to therapists in training.
PCIT International Training Requirements for Certification as a PCIT Therapist
PCIT International Training Requirements for Certification as a Within Agency Trainer

Backed by decades of research, PCIT is proven to improve outcomes for children, families and communities.

ABOUT PCIT