PCIT in Bismarck, ND

What is PCIT?

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy is an evidence-based treatment for young children experiencing behavioral or emotional challenges and their parents or caregivers. Rather than working with the child alone, PCIT strengthens the caregiver-child relationship and teaches practical strategies for responding to challenging behavior.

During sessions you interact and play with your child while your therapist observes and provides live, in-the-moment coaching, often through an earpiece. You practice skills that encourage positive behavior, improve communication, strengthen your connection, and support calm, consistent limit-setting. PCIT is active and collaborative, and it includes practice between sessions. Your therapist will assess your family’s needs and help determine whether PCIT is the right fit.

At Empowered Mental Health in Bismarck, PCIT is provided by Talia Biederstedt, certified through PCIT International, and Mariah Banse, who is working toward her certification.

What PCIT can help with

• Frequent tantrums, meltdowns, and defiance
• Aggression, hitting, or difficult behavior at home or daycare
• Not listening or refusing to follow directions
• ADHD-related behavior and trouble with transitions
• Strained or exhausting parent-child relationships

PCIT is designed for children roughly 2.5 to 7 years old. It works because it changes the daily patterns between you and your child, not just the child’s behavior in a therapy room.

What to expect in PCIT

PCIT typically includes two phases. During Child-Directed Interaction you learn and practice skills that strengthen your relationship with your child and encourage positive behavior through play. During Parent-Directed Interaction you learn to give clear, effective directions and respond to behavior calmly and consistently.

Throughout treatment your therapist provides live coaching while you interact with your child. Between sessions you practice the skills during brief, focused playtime at home each day. Rather than following a fixed number of weeks, families complete PCIT based on caregiver skill mastery, progress toward goals, and measurable improvement in the child’s behavior.

A FamilyFirst (Title IV-E) PCIT provider

Empowered Mental Health is approved by North Dakota Health and Human Services to provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy through FamilyFirst Services, previously known as Title IV-E Prevention Services. This program helps eligible families access services intended to strengthen families and help children remain safely at home.

PCIT through FamilyFirst is available to eligible children ages 2 to 7 and their parents or caregivers at no cost. North Dakota Health and Human Services determines eligibility based on the program requirements. Families do not need an open child welfare case to apply.

Talia Biederstedt and Mariah Banse have both completed the training required to provide PCIT through the FamilyFirst program. Parents, caregivers, caseworkers, and other professionals can contact us to learn about PCIT and the application process. Eligibility applications may also be submitted through the North Dakota HHS FamilyFirst website.

Who provides PCIT at Empowered

Talia Biederstedt, LCSW, founder of Empowered Mental Health, is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy through PCIT International and is a FamilyFirst Title IV-E PCIT provider. She specializes in helping parents understand challenging behavior, strengthen the parent-child relationship, and build lasting emotional regulation skills.

Mariah Banse, LCSW is a FamilyFirst Title IV-E PCIT provider and is currently completing certification through PCIT International.