PC Care: Parent-Child Care

For Parents with Kiddos 2-10 Years Old

What is it?

PC CARE (Parent-Child Care), developed at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, is a short-term, evidence-based program designed to give families practical tools for navigating big feelings and challenging behaviors.

It’s all about strengthening the bond between parents and children while building skills that make daily life feel calmer, more connected, and more manageable. Working with our Certified PC Care therapist, Sarah Moyer, you will soon find yourself feeling more confident, capable, and supported as a parent.

It’s also a great option for parents who simply want to move beyond traditional discipline and learn more nurturing, effective ways to connect with their kids.Compared to PCIT (Parent-Child Interaction Training), PC CARE offers more than a dozen extra tools—but in a shorter and more flexible format, making it easier to fit into busy family life.

What kinds of things can it help with?

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding roles—and also one of the hardest, especially when big feelings and daily struggles start to feel overwhelming.

PC CARE will help you face all kinds of challenges, such as:

  • Childhood anxiety

  • Strong-willed or spirited temperaments

  • Social-emotional delays

  • ADHD or autism

  • Infant and toddler development concerns

  • Family transitions (like a new sibling, moving, or adoption)

  • Stressful or traumatic events

Is it right for my family?

The quick answer? Absolutely. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure of what to do, or just wished for a little more calm in your home—you’re not alone.

This program is designed for parents and caregivers who want to:

  • Better support a child with big feelings or challenging behaviors

  • Build stronger communication and routines

  • Create more connection, calm, and cooperation at home

  • Learn practical strategies that actually work in daily life

You don’t need a diagnosis to participate—all families are welcome. Whether you’re facing a specific concern or simply want to strengthen your relationship with your child, PC CARE can give you tools and support that make a difference.

How does it work?

PC CARE (Parent-Child Care) is a short-term, play-based program designed to help caregivers and children strengthen their relationship and reduce stress at home.

It provides caregivers with:

  • Simple tools to reduce challenging behaviors

  • Strategies to support emotional regulation

  • Ways to deepen connection with your child

  • Real-time coaching in playful, low-pressure sessions.

What Kind of Change Can Families Expect with PC-CARE?

Research shows that meaningful progress can happen quickly—often in just 6–8 sessions. Families who participate in PC-CARE commonly experience:

  • Fewer behavior struggles: On average, children’s behavior problems decrease by about 30–40%

  • Lower parent stress: Caregivers report stress dropping by around 35–40%

  • More positive communication: Parents often double their use of encouraging, nurturing skills like praise, reflection, and active listening

  • Stronger connection and cooperation: Kids and parents feel more supported, understood, and able to work together

  • Better outcomes in foster care: Children show improved self-regulation, fewer trauma symptoms, and greater placement stability

Compared to longer programs, families in PC-CARE were also about 2.5 times more likely to complete treatment, making it both effective and easier to fit into real life.

Every family’s journey is unique, but the research is clear: meaningful change doesn’t have to take a long time.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our incredibly talented practitioner Sarah Moyer is a professional counselor associate as well as a certified PC Care Provider. She is a mom of three—passionate about helping parents feel more calm, connected, and confident through the ups & downs of parenting. Learn more at Sarah here.

  • Sarah is ready to answer all your questions and provide you with even more information about how PC Care can help you and your kiddo. You can reach her at sarah@oakhillscounselingcenter.com or 971.213.5856

  • No. We know that caregivers come in many forms. From parents, step-parents, foster parents, legal guardians, grandparents, and more. This program is for anyone looking to improve their relationship with a kiddo they are providing full time care for.