Filial Therapy

Filial Therapy

 

Filial Therapy is a highly effective, empirically-supported intervention integrating family therapy and play therapy to address child and family problems. Therapists learn how to train and supervise parents as they conduct special child-centered play sessions with their own children (ages 3-12+), an approach designed to resolve a wide range of presenting problems while strengthening family relationships.

Filial Therapy has been used successfully with many child and family problems: oppositional behaviors, anxiety, depression, abuse/neglect, single parenting, traumatic events, attachment/adoption/foster care, relationship problems, divorce, family substance abuse, family reunification, chronic illness, families of children with ASD, and many others. A research history spanning more than 55 years has consistently shown Filial Therapy to be cost-effective in facilitating positive and long-lasting child and family change. The use of this relatively short- term, evidence-based approach has increased dramatically worldwide in recent years due to its effective, empowering approach to strengthening families.

Filial Therapy has been used in many different settings. Furthermore, it has been embraced by many cultural and ethnic groups throughout the world because of its respectful involvement of parents as partners in the process of family change. It is unique in its ability to meet the needs of all family members while addressing the reasons the families came for therapy in the first place.