What PC-CARE Is
Parent-Child Care (PC-CARE) is a structured parent-child intervention for children approximately ages 1-10 and their caregivers. Originally developed at the UC Davis CAARE Center, PC-CARE focuses on strengthening caregiver-child relationships, improving emotional regulation and behavior patterns, and supporting developmentally informed parenting strategies through live coaching and guided parent-child interaction.
PC-CARE is designed to teach and practice skills during sessions, while recognizing that most learning and meaningful behavioral change occurs through consistent use of these strategies in daily life outside of therapy.
Treatment Structure
Treatment includes one intake and observation session, six focused parent-child sessions, and one follow-up session approximately one month later.
Sessions include live coaching during parent-child interaction, support with emotional regulation and behavior patterns, positive reinforcement and communication strategies, developmentally informed caregiving approaches, and practical skills for routines, transitions, and challenging behaviors.
When PC-CARE May Fit
Treatment goals are individualized based on the child’s developmental stage and the family’s concerns.
PC-CARE may be appropriate for concerns related to emotional and behavioral regulation, parent-child interaction difficulties, disruptive behaviors, transitions and routines, attention and executive functioning challenges, and developmental or adjustment-related stressors.
PC-CARE is often a strong fit for caregivers who are open to actively participating in treatment and who recognize that changes in caregiver responses, communication patterns, and interaction styles can influence a child’s behavior and emotional regulation over time.
Fit Considerations
Families primarily seeking individual therapy for the child alone, without caregiver participation or changes in family interaction patterns, may benefit from discussing whether a different treatment approach would be a better fit for their goals.
Families interested in learning more about the model can visit the PC-CARE Learning Center.
