PCIT SUNCOAST Research and Training Lab
Supporting Understanding and Nurturing Children Outcomes through Assessment Skills and Treatment
What is Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)? PCIT is an evidence-based treatment designed to help young children and their caregivers build stronger, more positive relationships while making everyday behavior easier to manage. Instead of simply talking about parenting strategies, PCIT gives you live, personalized coaching while you play and interact with your child. With support from a trained therapist, caregivers learn practical skills for increasing positive behaviors, strengthening their relationship with their child, setting effective limits, and responding confidently to challenging behaviors.
Are you a parent/caregiver interested in PCIT at USF Health? Please contact (813) 821-8038 and register your child. Please ask to be put on the Pediatric Psychology/PCIT waitlist. You can contact us with inquiries at smithn1@usf.edu.
Are you a USF graduate student interested in getting involved with our lab or learning more about PCIT certification and training opportunities? Our team is united by a shared mission to support families and equip caregivers with practical skills to strengthen their connection with their children, navigate challenging behaviors, and reduce family stress. We value collaboration, curiosity, and creating a positive environment where students can learn, contribute, and grow alonside one another. Visit our About page to learn more about our team, explore recent work, and see what exciting projects are coming up next!
Research
Data-driven results
We use data and weekly progress monitoring to make sure treatment is working for each family. By regularly reviewing parent-reported concerns, child behavior, and progress with parents' PCIT skills, our team can track improvements over time, identify areas that may need additional support, and tailor treatment to help families meet their goals. This ongoing feedback helps keep PCIT individualized, collaborative, and focused on meaningful improvements at home.
Our team is actively involved in research examining how PCIT can be tailored to better meet the needs of individual children and families. Recent publications from our team highlight ways that data, family characteristics, and treatment progress can inform more personalized approaches to care.
Recent Presentation!
SUNCOAST presented at PCIT International's Biennial Convention
September 16, 2026
Convention details: https://pcit-international.ce-go.com/2026-pcit-international-conference…