What to look for in a
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Therapist

In addition to the appropriate training, it's important to select a therapist who is sensitive to the needs of your family. Your therapist should be able to explain the course of treatment, the role of each family member, and how your family's cultural background will be addressed. Your family should feel comfortable with, and have confidence in, the therapist with whom you will work.

Important Questions to Ask Your PCIT Therapist

• Training: What is the nature of your training? When were you trained? By whom? How long was the training? Do you have access to follow-up consultation? What resource materials on PCIT are you familiar with? Are you clinically supervised (or participate in a peer supervision group) by others who are trained in PCIT?
  
• Experience: How many PCIT cases have you seen? How many clients have you successfully graduated from PCIT? Have you completed any certification programs for PCIT?
• Treatment: Why do you feel that PCIT is the most appropriate treatment model for my child? Would my child benefit from other treatment methods at the same time, or after s/he completes PCIT (i.e. individual or group therapy).
• Techniques: What techniques would you use to help my child manage his/her emotions and related behaviors? How will my family and I be involved in this process?
• Assessment: Do you use a standard assessment process to gather baseline information on the functioning of my child and family and to monitor treatment progress over time?
• Equipment: Do you have access to the appropriate equipment for PCIT (two-way mirror and audio equipment)? If not, how do you plan to structure the sessions to assure that the PCIT techniques are used according to the model?
• Risk: Is there any potential for harm associated with this treatment?

Information adapted from the Child Welfare Information Gateway