Filial Therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves training parents to use play therapy techniques with their children.
Parent Training
Parents are taught skills used by play therapists, such as reflective listening, structuring play sessions, and setting appropriate limits.
Play Sessions
Parents conduct regular play sessions with their children, using the skills they have learned to foster open communication and emotional expression.
Suitability
The Filial Therapy program is suitable for families with children between the ages of 3 and 12 years old who have problems with their own feelings and/or difficulty in relationships with others.
Benefits
Typically, children love having “special play time” with their parents. Parents also find that the time spent together in play is so valuable and special that they are happy to do this. As long as the essentials are taught to parents/caregivers and they follow through, the program can be adapted in various ways to meet the circumstances of the family.
The primary goals of Filial Therapy are to improve the parent-child relationship, increase parental empathy and understanding, and empower parents to effectively address their children's emotional and behavioral needs. By involving parents directly in the therapeutic process, Filial Therapy promotes lasting positive changes within the family system.