Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
PCIT is helpful in addressing problematic behaviors associated with a variety of developmental and mental health conditions including ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, aggression/anger problems, and oppositional and defiant behavior. PCIT involves parents and guardians by coaching them to manage their child's behavior with both warmth and firmness. Please discuss with your child's clinician whether PCIT will be an appropriate treatment for your child and family.
Call your insurance company: Request to speak to the Case Manager in the Behavioral Health Department
PsychologyToday.com: Locate a psychiatrist covered in network using the webpage filters
PCIT Therapists (California): United States (pcit.org)
Parent-Child Interactive Therapists
Behavioral Screening, Assessment, and Treatment - RCHSDContact: 858-576-1700 Services: Parent-Child Attunement Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Developmentally appropriate behavioral play therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy Insurance: Call 858-966-4005 Hours: Monday- Friday, 7 a.m.-11:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.- 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Location: https://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/healthy-development-services/locations/ |
Behavioral Health Services - Children, Youth & Families System of CareContact: 1 (888) 724-7240 Website: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/hhsa/programs/bhs/bhs_services.html Services: The Children, Youth and Families (CYF) section of Behavioral Health Services offers a wide variety of services, from early intervention to residential services. All services provided are oriented to meet the unique linguistic and cultural needs of the public to be served. Insurance: Medi-Cal Location: San Diego |
Chadwick Center for Children and Families at Rady Children’s Hospital San DiegoContact: (858) 966-5803 Website: https://www.rchsd.org/passport/chadwick-center-for-children-families/ Services: Parent-Child Attunement Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Developmentally appropriate behavioral play therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy Insurance: Medi-Cal |
Family Service AssociationContact: 951-686-1096 Website: https://www.fsaca.org/service-highlights Services: Parent Child Interactive Therapy in addition to case management for parents with children ages 0-5 Insurance: Many services are available to client at limited to no cost due to available funding programs FSA offers based upon client qualifications. Location: Riverside, San Jacinto, Fontana, Yucca Valley |
First 5Contact: (619) 281-2292 Website: https://aapca3.org/healthy-development-services-hds Services: This project provides health-oriented services to children ages 0-5 living in San Diego County, including:
These services are targeted to children with mild to moderate needs, with the intent of providing help for children who otherwise would not receive the care that they need. Insurance: First 5 First Steps is funded in part by the CalWORKs Home Visiting Program. CalWORKs is a program that supports families in need by offering services such as, cash aid, welfare-to-work, Cal-Learn, childcare and family stabilization Location: San Diego |
Dr. Vanja GaleContact: (619) 300-6209 Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/vanja-gale-san-diego-ca/42326 Services: Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Family/Marital and Parent-Child Interaction therapy (PCIT) Insurance:
Location: San Diego, CA 92110 |
Grow Through Life CounselingContact: (619) 549-0329 ext. 0 Website: Teens And Families | Grow Through Life Counseling | San Diego Services: Anxiety and Depression Treatment, Teen Counseling, Counseling for Children, Family Counseling, Parenting Support, Group Therapy, Stress Management, New Mom’s Support Insurance:
Location: Eastlake of Chula Vista, Sorrento Valley, San Diego, Scripps Ranch, La Mesa, Oceanside and Murrieta |
Tamara Halperin, PsyDContact: (619) 612- 5108 Email: contact@drtamarahalperin.com Website: https://www.drtamarahalperin.com/ Services: Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) therapist. Insurance: Aetna health insurance. A Superbill can be provided to your health insurance for reimbursement for out-of-network insurance plans Location: Telehealth |
Julia Allen TherapyContact: (858) 208-0198 Website: Child, Teen, & Family Teletherapy | La Jolla, CA | Julia Allen Therapy Services:
Insurance: Out-of-network provider and does not accept insurance. Can provide a super bill of services to help with obtaining reimbursement through your insurance company. Location: At this time, all therapy sessions are held exclusively via telehealth. |
La Jolla Therapy CenterContact: (858) 224-3317 Website: La Jolla Therapy Center | Psychotherapy in San Diego (lajollatherapycenter.com) Services: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Behavioral issues, Eating disorders, Alcohol and/or Substance use, Life transitions, Family conflict, Self-esteem, Relationships, Stress, and Parenting. Starting at 4 years old through adulthood Insurance: Out-of-network provider and does not accept insurance. Can provide a super bill of services to help with obtaining reimbursement through your insurance company. Location: 3252 Holiday Ct Ste 107, La Jolla CA 92037 |
Life Stance HealthContact: 858-914-1347 Website: https://lifestance.com/ Services: ABA, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Couples Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EDMR Therapy, Family Therapy, Gottman Therapy, Group Therapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Narrative Therapy, Neuropsychological Testing, Neurosequential Model, Play Therapy, Psychotherapy, Solution Focused Therapy, TFCBT, TMS (if you have depression, but medication and therapy haven’t worked, this in-person treatment may be right for you), Trauma-Informed Care Insurance:
Location: Multiple locations: https://lifestance.com/location/state/california/ |
Mae TherapyContact: (858) 324-6232 Website: Mae Therapy – Therapy Services in California Services: Anxiety, Behavior Management, Depression, Eating Disorders, Relationships, Stress, Trauma and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Insurance:
Location: 16935 W. Bernardo Dr. Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92127 |
Claudia Jessica Peralta, LMFTContact: (619) 592-7091 Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/claudia-jessica-peralta-chula-vista-ca/271681 Services: Art Therapy, Christian Counseling, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Compassion Focused, Culturally Sensitive, Eclectic, Family / Marital, Family Systems, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Interpersonal, Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural, Narrative, Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT), Person-Centered, Play Therapy, Positive Psychology, Structural Family Therapy Insurance:
Location: 217 Landis Avenue Chula Vista, CA 91910 |
Quality Life GroupContact: (619) 675-7346 Website: http://qualitylifegroup.com/ Services: Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Culturally Sensitive, Emotionally Focused, Family Systems, Integrative, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Interpersonal, Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Multicultural, Parent-Child Interaction (PCIT), Person-Centered, Psychoanalytic, Psychodynamic, Relational, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Strength-Based, Structural Family Therapy. Insurance:
Location: 221 West Crest Street Escondido, CA 92025 and San Diego, CA 92128 |
Rady Children's Outpatient Psychiatry ClinicsContact: (858) 966-5832 Website: https://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/psychiatry/locations Services: audiology, children’s care connection (C3), developmental evaluation clinic, developmental screening and enhancement program (DSEP), feeding team, KidStart Center, NICU Neurodevelopmental Clinic, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology Insurance: Medi-Cal and uninsured Location: 3665 Kearny Villa Road, San Diego, CA 92123 |
RUHS – Behavioral Health Preschool 0-5 ProgramsContact: 951-358-6895 Website: https://www.rcdmh.org/ChildrenServices Services: (most programs funded by FIRST-5) Children ages 0-6: Comprehensive continuum of early identification, early intervention, and treatment services designed to promote social competence and decrease the development of disruptive behavior disorders – PCIT offered, in addition to Triple P Positive Parenting Program Location: Lake Elsinore, Perris and Moreno Valley |
Dr. Ian SchereContact: (619) 847-0202 Email: ian@ianschere.com Website: https://pcitkids.com/index.html Services: Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), a specialized parenting intervention designed for families with young children (2-7 years) to reduce problematic child behaviors and parent stress. Motivational Interviewing (MI), a client-centered, goal directed approach designed to explore and resolve ambivalent feelings and elicit desired behavioral changes. Insurance: Out-of-network insurances ($225 per session) Location: 7590 Fay Ave, Suite 204B La Jolla, CA 92037 |
SDSU – Psychology ClinicContact: 619-594-5134 Website: https://psychologyclinic.sdsu.edu/child-family-therapy Services: SDSU therapists work closely with clinical supervisors with expertise in child clinical psychology to offer evidence-based intervention approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent Management Training, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Insurance: Insurance not accepted. Sliding scale available for therapy and $500 charge for assessments Location: 6363 Alvarado Court, Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92120 |
Dr. Marie SecristContact: (858) 704-2346 Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/marie-secrist-san-diego-ca/927262 Services: Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), anxiety and depression Insurance: Cash/check $175 per session Location: San Diego, CA 92128 |
Set 4 School – PCITContact: 951-358-689 Website: https://www.rcdmh.org/set4school Services: Children ages 0-5
Insurance: All insurances Location: 3075 Myers Street Riverside, CA 92503 |
Parent-Child Interactive Resources
Child Mind InstituteThe Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders by giving them the help they need to thrive. Website: https://childmind.org/ |
InfoAboutKidsGoal is to promote healthy child and family development by highlighting science-based information for those who care for, or work with, children. Website: https://infoaboutkids.org/ |
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)When it’s used, what to expect, how it works and what to look for in a Parent-Child Interaction Therapist |
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Official websiteThis website is designed to provide valuable PCIT resources for caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and professional organizations. Website: https://www.parentchildinteractiontherapy.com/ Contact: 877-724-8248 |
Parent Management Training (PMT)Parent Management Training is an intervention used specifically to treat children and adolescents with oppositional, aggressive, and antisocial behaviors. This training can be completed with a therapist, but there are some books that are available to that you can learn some of the techniques on your own: Book: Treatment for Oppositional, Aggressive, and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents by Alan E Kazdin Course: Everyday Parenting: the ABC’s of Child Rearing Instrucor: Alan E. Kazdin, PhD, ABPP Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. The lessons provide step-by-step instructions and demonstrations to improve your course of action with both children and adolescents. Among many techniques, you will learn how even simple modifications to tone of voice and phrasing can lead to more compliance. The course will also shed light on many parenting misconceptions and ineffective strategies that are routinely used. The key to the course is practice. It is not enough to know the strategies; you have to do them to reap the rewards. Using the techniques on a temporary basis will lead to permanent change. Chances are your parenting is perfectly fine and working the way you would like. But if you have any frustrations with your child or would like to improve your effectiveness in changing your child’s behavior, these videos will be a very useful guide. Website: https://www.coursera.org/learn/everyday-parenting#instructors |
PCIT Therapists (California)The mission of PCIT International is to foster the well-being of children and families of all cultures and nations through a well-researched, effective set of skills known as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). PCIT International's mission includes a commitment to build and strengthen our diverse community of expert PCIT therapists, trainers, and researchers. Website: United States (pcit.org) |
Pocket PCIT OnlineThis interactive book is for families who are either in or have already finished Parent-Child Interaction Therapy or PCIT. This resource is not meant to replace therapy. Instead, it is meant to support you in practicing PCIT skills with your child outside of session. Pocket PCIT Online is a FREE online resource for parents that is available 24/7. This resource is based on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, an evidence-based treatment for children with disruptive behaviors. This online parenting program provides lots of tips for how to improve your relationship with your child and improve your child's behavior. Website: https://www.pocketpcit.com/ |
Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents: Different Types |
Treatment ModalitiesDescription of the multitude of evidence-based psychotherapies that have been shown to be effective |