Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in Encino, CA

Traditional PCIT is for children between ages 2 and 8. A therapist will also consider the child’s developmental abilities, communication skills, concerns, and family needs before recommending treatment.

Yes. Frequent or intense tantrums are among the common reasons families seek PCIT. Treatment can help caregivers respond more consistently, reinforce positive behavior, and reduce patterns that may contribute to escalation.

PCIT can help with many common childhood behavior problems, including frequent tantrums, defiance, aggression, difficulty following directions, impulsivity, emotional outbursts, and repeated parent-child conflict. Families often seek behavioral therapy for children when these challenges start interfering with daily routines, school or daycare participation, safety, or family relationships.

PCIT typically takes several months to complete, though the exact length varies from family to family. Unlike therapies with a set number of sessions, PCIT is mastery-based, meaning treatment progresses as caregivers learn, practice, and consistently apply the skills in everyday situations.

Creating lasting change and new interaction patterns takes time, practice, and commitment. Your therapist will work collaboratively with you throughout the process, helping you navigate challenges, address barriers to treatment, and problem-solve any concerns that arise so your family can get the most benefit from the program.

No. Many children benefit from PCIT without having a formal diagnosis. Families often seek PCIT when behaviors such as tantrums, defiance, emotional outbursts, aggression, or difficulty following directions begin interfering with daily life.

PCIT may also be helpful for children with ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum concerns, trauma-related concerns, or other behavioral and emotional challenges.

Absolutely not. PCIT is not about labeling a child or suggesting that parents have done something wrong.

Many families who seek PCIT are loving, involved parents who feel overwhelmed by persistent behavior challenges and want additional tools. PCIT provides evidence-based strategies to help parents better understand their child's behavior and respond more effectively.

PCIT includes two main phases:

Child-Directed Interaction (CDI)
Parents learn skills to strengthen connection, increase positive interactions, and build their child's confidence through child-led play.

Parent-Directed Interaction (PDI)
Parents learn how to provide clear directions, set consistent limits, and respond calmly and effectively when children do not follow instructions.

Throughout treatment, parents receive live coaching from a trained therapist while practicing skills with their child.

PCIT is different from traditional child therapy because the caregiver is actively involved throughout treatment. Rather than the therapist only meeting with the child, PCIT focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship by coaching caregivers as they practice new skills with their child in the sessions.

Some children may also benefit from separate individual or play therapy sessions alongside PCIT to support their own emotional growth. These sessions can help children build important skills such as distress tolerance, emotional regulation, coping strategies, problem-solving, and healthy ways to express feelings.

Depending on your child’s needs and scheduling considerations, these additional sessions may be provided by the same therapist delivering PCIT or by another therapist at MILIKA Center for Therapy & Resilience. Our team will collaborate with your family to determine the approach that best supports your child’s development, your family’s goals, and overall treatment progress.

During a typical session:

1. The therapist checks in with the caregiver about progress and challenges.
2. The parent and child participate in structured play or activities.
3. The therapist provides live coaching and feedback.
4. The family practices skills that can be used at home.

Sessions are practical, interactive, and focused on helping families feel more confident outside the therapy room.

Yes, absolutely! MILIKA offers PCIT both in-office in Encino and virtually throughout California.

Virtual PCIT allows therapists to coach parents live while they interact with their child in their natural home environment. This can be especially helpful because families can practice skills in the moments when challenges actually happen—not just in a therapy office.

In the early phases of treatment, families typically practice skills through structured activities designed to build connection, strengthen communication, and teach effective behavior-management strategies. As parents gain confidence and mastery of these skills, coaching can expand into real-life “hot spots” where challenges commonly occur, such as mealtimes, clean-up routines, transitions, or and other daily stress points.

This is a common concern among parents. PCIT is designed to meet children where they are developmentally.

Your therapist will help identify strategies to increase engagement, build connection, and support your child's participation. The goal is not perfection—it is progress.

Yes. MILIKA values collaborative care and works closely with pediatricians, schools, psychologists, psychiatrists, and other providers when appropriate. With caregiver consent, we can coordinate care to support the child's emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs across settings.

Our team consists of psychologists and therapists. However, your provider may provide referrals and help you get connected with a psychiatrist if deemed clinically necessary (psychiatrists are the ones that do prescribe). If you work with a psychiatrist, your provider can collaborate with them to deliver coordinated care.

The first step is a complimentary consultation with our team. We will learn more about your child's strengths, challenges, answer your questions, and help determine the best next step.

 Contact MILIKA Center for Therapy & Resilience to learn more and/or schedule your consultation.