The hours between pickup and bedtime are where many families struggle. Kids hold it together at school, then explode at home. Tantrums, refusals, and sibling conflicts spike when everyone is tired and hungry. For young children and those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD, these after-school storms can become daily patterns. Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) meets this moment with practical tools. In live coaching sessions, PCIT therapists coach parents through skills they can use that day, in their home, with their child.
If you need a clear plan for afternoons and evenings, our team offers PCIT across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and surrounding areas.
Why after school is so hard
After a long day, kids are fatigued, hungry, and overloaded. Transition demands pile up: leave school, commute, snack, homework, activities, dinner, bath, bed. Weak emotional regulation and lagging parenting skills collide with big expectations. The result is avoidant or disruptive behaviors that drain the whole household.
Research shows that predictable routines, effective commands, and high-quality positive attention reduce behavioral problems. That is exactly what PCIT builds for parents and children.
What PCIT is and how it runs
Parent Child Interaction Therapy is an evidence based, short-term treatment program for children ages 2–7 with significant oppositional behavior, tantrums, or aggression. In session, a therapist observes parent–child play from behind a one-way mirror or via telehealth and provides real time coaching through a small earpiece. We teach parents simple, repeatable strategies, then help them apply those strategies to the hardest parts of the afternoon.
PCIT has two structured phases:
- Child Directed Interaction CDI. Strengthens connection and attention through warm, precise praise and responsive play.
- Parent Directed Interaction PDI. Builds consistent follow-through with clear commands, choices, and predictable consequences.
Together they improve the parent child relationship and the child’s capacity to follow directions, wait, and shift between tasks.
(You may also see PCIT referred to as “child interaction therapy PCIT” in some materials.)
CDI in real life: Reconnect first, then redirect
After school, start with five minutes of CDI “special play.” Follow the child’s lead. Use PRIDE skills:
- Praise the behavior you want: “Thank you for sharing the blocks.”
- Reflect speech to show you are listening.
- Imitate appropriate play to join, not control.
- Describe actions: “You’re putting the red piece on top.”
- Show Enthusiasm to make your attention the best reward.
This short burst of CDI fills the connection tank, lowers arousal, and eases the shift into routine. It is not negotiable screen time or a bribe. It is targeted attention that makes the rest of the evening smoother.
PDI in real life: Calm, clear, consistent
Once connection is in place, move to PDI during play.
- State one clear command. “I want to build a new tower. Please hand me the blue block.” One step, calm tone, eye level.
- Wait 5–10 seconds. If your child complies, give labeled praise: “Thank you for listening right away!”
- If not, give a brief choice with a known consequence. “If you don’t hand me the blue block, you will need to sit in the time out chair.”
- Follow through. Keep words few, tone steady, and consequence brief.
Repeat this sequence across during play. Gradually, with the therapist’s support, parents learn to generalize these steps to more challenging times of the day. Consistency teaches that directions mean the same thing every time.
A simple after-school map
Use this template and adjust to your home.
- Arrival and CDI special play (5 minutes)
- Snack and water
- Homework start cue with a one-step PDI command
- Short work block, short movement break
- Free play or activity
- Cleanup with first–then visual
- Dinner, bath, bedtime routine
Add visual aids at each step. A first–then card and a simple picture schedule reduce arguing and help kids stay focused.
When ADHD is in the mix
For people with ADHD, inhibition and working memory are inconsistent. They may know the rule but cannot execute it in the moment. PCIT does not shame lagging skills. It sets the environment to help the brain succeed. Commands are shorter. Steps are single and multi step tasks are broken down. Praise is immediate and specific. Consequences are predictable and quick. The structure supports the prefrontal cortex systems that manage attention, flexibility, and self-control.
What PCIT looks like
- Session 1–4: Baseline observation, goals, CDI teaching, and first coaching sessions.
- Session 5–8: CDI practice, daily home “special play,” PDI introduction on one routine (often homework start or cleanup).
- Session 9–15: Generalize PDI to other hot spots. Add simple visual aids.
- Session 15+ : Troubleshoot specific behavioral problems, fine-tune consequences, and plan for school handoffs.
Between sessions, families complete short home practices. We review progress data and adjust in real time.
Common roadblocks and fixes
- “My child escalates with commands.” Return to CDI for five minutes to reconnect, then give one calm command with a small, immediate reward for success.
- “They ignore me unless I raise my voice.” Lower the word count. Stand close. Use one-step commands and deliver praise within two seconds of compliance.
- “Transitions are the worst.” Preview with a two-minute warning and a first–then card. Start with only one or two required transitions, then expand.
- “Siblings set each other off.” Run CDI 1:1 with each child during the week. Use PDI commands per child to prevent cross-talk and confusion.
What changes first
Most families notice faster task starts, shorter tantrums, and more “yes” moments within a few weeks. Parents and children argue less because the pattern is predictable. Kids get better at emotional regulation because they know what happens next. Parents report lower stress because decisions get simpler.
How we support parents
Our goal is to support parents, not judge them. We coach parents to use scripts that work under pressure and to keep commands brief and neutral. We build simple data sheets so progress is visible. We collaborate with teachers and caregivers so gains carry into aftercare and class.
If you have an IEP or are navigating special education, we can share PDI language and routines with school staff to align expectations.
Getting started in NYC
Our PCIT therapists deliver parent child interaction therapy in person and via telehealth. We tailor CDI and PDI to your home layout, your schedule, and your child’s triggers. We also coordinate with other services when needed.
- PCIT for children ages 2–7
- Live coaching sessions with clear take-home plans
- Collaboration with schools and caregivers
We serve families across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and nearby communities.
Ready to turn after-school chaos into a manageable evening routine?
Schedule Parent Child Interaction Therapy with Manhattan Psychology Group. We will teach parents CDI and PDI that work in real life, reduce disruptive behaviors, and strengthen the parent child relationship. Support is available in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and surrounding areas.
