The first step in PCIT is an initial assessment to understand the child’s behavior and the parent-child dynamic. Following this, the therapist will provide education on the principles of PCIT and begin with the CDI phase. Parents are taught to use skills such as praise, reflection, imitation, and description to build a stronger relationship with their child. Once parents are proficient in these skills, the therapy progresses to the PDI phase, where parents learn to give clear, direct commands and use consistent consequences for noncompliance.
