Pocket PCIT+AI University of Miami Start a conversation
You’re always in control

Parenting support that fits in your pocket.

A warm, private AI coach built on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy — ready whenever a hard moment shows up. You choose what to try, and when.

Built on 40+ years of research Private — you own your data English, Spanish & Spanglish
Your pace

Read a little or a lot. Open what interests you, scroll past the rest.

Your language

Talk in English, Spanish, or a mix. The coach follows your lead.

Your data

Turn history, reminders, and tracking on or off whenever you like.

The basics

What is PCIT?

PCIT stands for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. It’s a proven, gentle way to build warmer relationships and calmer behavior — by coaching everyday moments between you and your child.

Parents & caregiversKids about 2–7 years old Tantrums & big feelingsNot listening Worry & anxietyAny caregiver who wants a calmer home

PCIT teaches two everyday skills. First, you give your child warm, focused attention during play — noticing the good, describing what they do, and praising it. This builds your bond and makes cooperation more likely.

Then, when limits are needed, you learn to give calm, clear directions and follow through the same way every time. Predictable and kind — not harsh.

Pocket PCIT+AI brings these skills to your phone, so you have support in the moment instead of only in a clinic.

PCIT is designed for parents and caregivers of young children — roughly ages 2 to 7 — especially when there are tantrums, trouble listening, big emotions, or worry. You don’t need a diagnosis to benefit.

  • Any caregiver: parents, grandparents, foster and kinship carers
  • Children who are spirited, strong-willed, or often upset
  • Families who want warmth and clear limits at the same time

Pocket PCIT+AI teaches the same skills used in PCIT, but it is a self-guided coach — not a replacement for a therapist, a diagnosis, or emergency help. If you’d like to work with a person, we’ll always point you to real help.

The AI coach

You’re talking with an AI — and here’s exactly what that means

Pocket PCIT+AI is a computer program, not a person. It was trained on PCIT so it can coach you kindly, any time of day. It never judges, never gets tired, and always keeps you in charge.

How the coach helps

The same steps a great PCIT coach would walk you through.

1
Listens to your moment

You describe what’s happening, in your own words and language.

2
Suggests a small skill to try

Warm attention, calm limits, or a step-by-step you can use right now.

3
Cheers you on

It notices what you did well and helps you keep going — you are the change.

Calmer kids, calmer you

More warm moments and cooperation, less stress — over time.

The AI is great for: quick ideas at 2am, practicing a skill, judgment-free questions, and gentle reminders.

A human is better for: a diagnosis, a crisis, or when you just want to be heard by a person. You can email our team any time and hear back within one business day.

How to reach a real person

Our team isn’t available around the clock, but you can always email us — we’ll get back to you within one business day.

Email our teamWe reply within one business day
Email

For anything urgent or unsafe, please use these free, 24/7 resources right away:

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text, any time
988
Childhelp HotlineParenting & child support
1-800-422-4453
EmergencyImmediate danger
911

Pocket PCIT+AI is not an emergency or crisis service, and does not give medical advice.

Real moments

Where a quick chat can help

Tap any moment that sounds familiar to see the kind of support you’d get. These are everyday situations PCIT is built for.

Whether it’s a tantrum or a sensory meltdown, the coach helps you stay calm, keep your child safe, and reconnect afterward — no yelling, no shame.
Learn how to give one calm, clear direction and follow through the same way every time, so listening becomes a habit — not a fight.
Get a short, predictable routine for the moments that tend to fall apart — leaving the park, turning off the tablet, or winding down for sleep.
A few minutes of child-led play can change your whole week. The coach shows you how to begin, even if your child resists at first.
Ideas for giving each child their own moment with you — and keeping the peace while you do.
Worried about praise, time-outs, or being “too soft”? Ask honestly. You’ll get calm, judgment-free answers grounded in research.
A quick tour

See how it works

A short welcome from Pocket PCIT+AI. In under two minutes you’ll see how to start a chat and get support in your own words.

It’s built to feel easy and unhurried:

  • You steer. Ask anything, follow a suggestion, or skip it. Nothing is required.
  • Your words. Type or talk in English, Spanish, or a mix of both. EnglishEspañolSpanglish
  • Learn your way. Read the coach’s responses, or watch short videos right in the chat.
The research

Built on decades of evidence

PCIT is one of the most studied parenting programs in the world. Here’s what our own University of Miami PCIT program has seen with families across Miami-Dade.

1,359

families completed PCIT with UM since 2018

98%

of children showed fewer behavior problems, on average

92%

of caregivers increased positive interactions with their child

97%

of caregivers reported less parenting stress

About these numbers: they come from the University of Miami PCIT program (2018–2022), delivered by trained clinicians. Pocket PCIT+AI adapts these same skills into an AI coach and is currently being studied — so we share the research behind the method, not a promise about the app. Families served were predominantly Hispanic and bilingual, and services were offered in English and Spanish.

Always your choice

You’re in control

Your privacy and your data are always yours to change. Here’s what you can see, turn on, or turn off — the switches below are examples of the real settings.

Your conversations belong to you. You decide whether the coach remembers past chats, and you can review, download, or delete your history whenever you want.

Save my conversation historyHelps the coach remember your family. Off = a fresh start each time.
Show where advice comes fromLinks each tip back to the PCIT skill behind it.
Delete everythingRemoves your chats and data. This can’t be undone.
Delete my data

The exact terms for how data is stored are set by the University of Miami study you’re part of, and explained in your consent form. Ask us anything about privacy.

We’re building this next. When it’s ready, the coach will be able to quietly track the skills you practice and the wins you notice, so you can look back and see your progress — always private to you, and completely optional to turn on.

Not sure how to start?

Try one of these

Real questions from real parents. Tap a dot to see more — then bring your own.

My 4-year-old melts down every time we leave the park. What can I try?

You can always type your own — in any language.
Who’s behind it

Made by parents, clinicians & researchers

Pocket PCIT+AI comes from the University of Miami PCIT team — the same people who’ve trained clinicians and supported thousands of families across Miami-Dade.

Jason Jent, Ph.D.Photo pending
Jason Jent, Ph.D.Principal Investigator

Clinical psychologist and certified PCIT trainer, leading UM’s PCIT program.

Dainelys Garcia, Ph.D.Photo
Dainelys Garcia, Ph.D.Co-Investigator · Bilingual Lead

Certified PCIT trainer and licensed psychologist.

Morgan Darabi, Ph.D.Photo
Morgan Darabi, Ph.D.Postdoctoral Associate · Program Coordinator

Early childhood and technology expert.

Mitsunori Ogihara, Ph.D.Photo
Mitsunori Ogihara, Ph.D.Professor of Computer Science · Technical Lead

Leads the technology behind the coach.

Photo pending
Kevin MalaveResearch Assistant · Bilingual Coordinator
Photo pending
Annafi MirzaTechnical Build Research Assistant

A University of Miami project. Developed within the UM PCIT program at the Mailman Center for Child Development, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami.

ConnectFamilias
Built with our community.

Pocket PCIT+AI was co-designed with our community partner ConnectFamilias and the many Miami families who helped shape every element — and the whole feel — of the app.

Ready when you are

Start a conversation whenever a hard moment shows up — day or night. You choose what to try, and you can stop any time.

Free while in research — no pressure, ever