As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher and Filial Play therapy uses the power of the parent-child relationship to facilitate the child’s growth and development. Parents will learn the skills and tools to be their child’s “play therapist” and through the special and unique parent-child relationship, children will feel safe to explore their inner thoughts, worries, and feelings. Children will have a structured and supportive space to process and work through their own inner challenges. Filial Play therapy has been shown to be effective at improving child’s emotional regulation, improving communication and feelings awareness, strengthening the parent-child relationship, and giving parents a glimpse deeper into their child’s inner world.
A Tested Therapeutic Approach
First conceived in the 1960s by Louise and Bernard Guerney, according to the American Psychological Association, “Filial therapy is a psychoeducational family intervention in which the therapist trains and supervises parents as they hold special child-centered play sessions with their own children, thereby engaging parents as partners in the therapeutic process and empowering them to be the primary change agents for their own children.” Designed to work with four to ten year-olds, with play modes appropriate for the child’s age, this evidence-based approach is effective with a broad range of family compositions (i.e., single parents, blended families, and non-parental caretakers such as grandparents). It has been demonstrated to be a tool for working with children who have experienced trauma, and it assumes that the therapy can be continued after the relationship with the therapist has been terminated.
What Happens in Filial Therapy?
During Filial Play Therapy sessions, children and parents engage in structured play activities under the guidance of a therapist. These sessions typically involve various forms of imaginative play, role-playing, and the use of toys and games that facilitate interaction and communication. The therapist provides directives and support, helping parents to understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs effectively. Through these guided play activities, children are able to express their feelings and experiences in a safe environment, while parents learn to strengthen their bond with their child, promote trust, and foster a sense of empathy and understanding within the family. The therapist’s role is crucial in this process as they train and supervise the parents, ensuring that the therapeutic objectives are met and that the family is equipped with the skills to continue the therapy independently.
Why is it So Effective?
Filial Play Therapy offers numerous benefits for both children and their families. It provides children a safe, non-threatening way to explore and express their emotions. Collaboration enhances the relationship between parents and children, increasing trust and fostering empathy. This improved understanding can lead to better communication within the family as parents gain insights into their child’s inner world. Parents also have an opportunity to practice new skills around limit setting and emotional regulation. Filial Therapy encourages active parental involvement, enhances the supportive and nurturing role of the parents or caregivers, and creates a safe and welcoming environment where children can express themselves freely through play without judgment.
The effectiveness of Filial Play Therapy lies in its unique approach that empowers parents to take an active role in their child’s therapeutic process. By involving parents directly in the play sessions, the therapy strengthens the parent-child bond and fosters a nurturing environment. This method also allows children to express their emotions and experiences through play, which is a natural form of communication for them.
The guidance provided by the therapist helps parents understand their child’s emotional needs and behaviors more deeply, promoting better communication and empathy within the family. Filial Play Therapy creates a safe space where children feel supported and understood, leading to improved emotional regulation and resilience. Additionally, this therapy equips parents with skills to effectively respond to their child’s needs, ensuring that the benefits of the therapy extend beyond the sessions and into everyday life.
Filial Play Therapy is especially valuable in cases where traditional talk therapy may not be suitable for a child. It provides a creative and gentle approach to addressing and healing emotional and relational wounds within the family. At WBMA, one of our therapists, Rachel Scharf, trained in Filial Therapy, will deliver a Coffee Chats on the topic. To learn more about this remarkably useful therapeutic tool, tune in on January 10 or January 31 for our chats.
If you are interested in our Filial Play Therapy Group visit: https://wbma.cc/services/therapy/filial-play-therapy/
Please contact us to set up a consultation about whether this is a good approach for your family.
