Filial therapy
Vol.12,No.1(2018)
Psychotherapy with children and adolescents (thematic issue)
Abstract
Keywords:
filial therapy; child centered play therapy
Filial therapy is a training program, in which parents learn specific child centered play therapy skills and apply them in play sessions with their children. Among the goals of filial therapy are strengthening the child-parent relationship and empathy, development of more realistic and tolerant perceptions towards self and child, reduction of problematic behaviors, and increase of confidence in parenting skills. Results of multiple studies show that filial therapy is successful in reducing emotional, behavioral, or social problems of children, as well as preventing future problems. Furthermore, some research findings suggest that filial therapy can be more effective than play therapy led by a therapist. This paper briefly outlines theoretical background of filial therapy, its structure and goals, and skills that parents learn during the training. Research outcomes of studies investigating the process and outcome of this approach are also described.
filial therapy; child centered play therapy
Copyright © 2018 Zuzana Gaššová, Tomáš Řiháček