Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in Lee's Summit, Missouri

PCIT Therapy at New Hope Counseling

Lee's Summit families now have local access to one of the most evidence-based treatments available for young children: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Heartland PCIT is based at New Hope Counseling at 9220 Cyclone School Road — a welcoming, family-centered practice built for the work PCIT requires.

Marjie Ruhl, LCSW, is the certified PCIT therapist at Heartland PCIT. She is PCIT International certified and brings additional training in EMDR (Level 2) and Trauma-Focused CBT. Marjie works with children ages 2–10 and their caregivers — parents, grandparents, foster parents, and adoptive parents — to build the skills families need to reduce challenging behavior and strengthen their relationship together.

PCIT sessions in Lee's Summit follow the same rigorously validated model used in research settings. A caregiver and child interact in a designated playroom while Marjie observes and coaches through a small wireless earpiece. This live coaching is what sets PCIT apart from every other child therapy model — parents build real skills, in real time, with immediate feedback. Most families report changes in their daily interactions within the first few sessions.

What Lee's Summit Families Bring to PCIT

Families in Lee's Summit and east Jackson County seek PCIT for a wide variety of concerns. Common presenting challenges include:

• ▸Frequent tantrums or emotional outbursts that disrupt the household
• ▸Defiance or refusal with everyday routines (bedtime, transitions, homework)
• ▸Aggression toward parents, siblings, or peers
• ▸Separation anxiety or clinginess that has worsened over time
• ▸Behavior challenges in preschool or early elementary school
• ▸Adjustment difficulties in foster, adoptive, or blended families
• ▸Concerns about ADHD-related impulsivity or inattention

Serving Lee's Summit and the Surrounding Area

New Hope Counseling is centrally located in Lee's Summit and easily accessible from Blue Springs, Raytown, Grain Valley, Greenwood, Independence, and parts of Kansas City. Telehealth PCIT is also available for families throughout Missouri and Kansas who prefer virtual sessions. Research published in Behavior Therapy (Peskin et al., 2024) found that telehealth and in-person PCIT produced equivalent outcomes across 380 families, confirming that virtual delivery is a clinically sound option — not a compromise.

Fees and Getting Started

Heartland PCIT is a direct-pay practice. The initial intake session is $175 and ongoing treatment sessions are $140 each. A superbill is provided for families who wish to seek out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance carrier. Many families find that the focused, mastery-based structure of PCIT — typically 12–20 sessions — makes it an efficient investment compared to open-ended therapy that continues for years.

To get started, complete the short contact form at heartlandpcit.com/contact. Marjie will follow up within one business day to discuss your family's situation and next steps.