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Little Kids With Big Feelings

For Deep Feelers, Big Reactors, and Strong-Willed Little Humans (Ages 2-6)

If you are a parent to a 2 to 6 year old child who has epic meltdowns, exhausting attention-seeking behavior, and power struggles that affect the whole family, you may feel like you've tried it all and nothing is working.  Worst. Feeling. Ever. However, if you haven't tried Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), then you haven't tried the most effective treatment for these behaviors.  

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Why does PCIT work so well?

  • Unlike other approaches, PCIT does not rely on teaching your child coping skills and holding your breath hoping they'll use them when they need them most. Let's face it, using a coping skill is a huge ask when emotions are running high (even for adults, let alone young kids).

  • Instead, PCIT works by teaching you parenting strategies that will change your child's behavior, improve your relationship with them, and get both parents on the same page (and all 3 of these outcomes really feed each other).

  • And, this is super unique to PCIT: you will actually practice your new strategies in the therapy sessions with your child while your therapist gives you live, in-the-moment coaching to help you reliably master each skill.  

You’ll learn how to:

  • Reduce meltdowns, aggression, and power struggles

  • Increase cooperation 

  • Build a calmer, more connected relationship with your child

  • Feel confident responding to big feelings without yelling, bribing, or walking on eggshells

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Often, families that first come to us feel like they've tried everything and nothing has worked.  Many have read the books, gotten (solicited and unsolicited) advice from loved ones, and read what feels like the entire internet on this topic, but the things that are supposed to help just aren't sticking. PCIT works even when it feels like nothing will. 

 

The research shows that PCIT works 90% of the time and, at our practice, that number is even higher.  We say this not to brag (ok, maybe a little - it is exciting), but to give you hope: if you're about to do PCIT with one of our experts, you can expect big changes ahead - finally!

And, great news for busy families (and/or those who live far from us): 
PCIT is actually best done virtually!

 In the short-term, virtual and in-person PCIT have the same efficacy, but long-term, virtual PCIT has been found to be more effective.  This makes a lot of sense because doing PCIT virtually allows you to get live coaching while you practice your new strategies in the actual place where you’ll be using them long-term (home).  

 

Here's a concrete example: you’ll be learning how to give really effective directions and then what to do when your child listens or doesn’t listen.  We’ll be practicing this in session with scenarios that tend to be difficult for your child.  For many kids, we’re practicing the morning get-out-of-the-house routine or the evening getting-ready-for-bed routine.  Instead of recreating these routines in an artificial office environment, you and your child will be able to practice doing these things in your own home.  It's like having the therapist right there in your house with you!

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