Filial Therapy

I believe that nothing strengthens the bond between a parent and child like playing together.  Filial Therapy is based on that premise, combining play and parenting skills to help address a family and child's challenges. With coaching and support from the therapist, caregivers learn how to provide structured, child-centered and attachment-focused special play time with their child. In the process, parents become an agent of healing for their child, based on the power of the relationship that is enhanced by this special form of play. 

 

In this approach, the child takes the lead and directs the activity; the parent becomes a participant and enters the child's play world. Imagination, empathy, limit-setting, and structure support both child and parent or caregiver through the experience toward a deeper relationship. With consistent, parental-led special play time therapy sessions, the child develops self-worth, a sense of mastery, coping skills, and the ability to share their inner world, with all of it's joys and challenges, with the most important people in his or her life.