An Introduction to Filial Therapy

By: Kim Peterson, MA, LPC-S, RPT - Guest Blogger
 

The relationship between a child and their parent affects an individual’s psychological and emotional health throughout their life. When a healthy bond is not formed, or when other problems arise in the home, children are often brought to a child therapist for concerns, such as difficulties with peers, behavior problems, anxiety, or depression. In addition to treating these symptoms with individual and family therapy, many play therapists choose to incorporate a filial therapy model in their treatment approach.

Filial therapy, a widely used therapeutic approach developed by Bernard and Louise Guerney, aims to create, maintain, or improve the bond between a parent and child. After learning basic play therapy skills from a trained play therapist, parents conduct their own play sessions with the child, either in the therapist’s office or in the home. Similar to sessions conducted with a play therapist, the parent-child play time involves the use of carefully selected play therapy toys, child-directed play, reflecting feeling, tracking play, and limit setting.

Filial therapy is effective for many reasons:

• Parents are asked to limit distractions, making the interaction between parent and child the primary focus.
• Since the play is child-directed, the parent learns new information about their child they would not notice otherwise, and a stronger bond forms as a result.
• The child is provided an opportunity to lead the play, gaining a sense of control, acceptance from the parent, and self-confidence.
• The child may begin to view their parent as an ally and a more supportive person in their life.
• Since the time is specifically set aside for special play time together, a child’s sense of self-worth improves. The parent is showing them that they are worth devoting their time and attention to, even in the midst of life’s other demands.

Filial therapy continues to gain popularity with therapists for its effectiveness in promoting healthy bonds between parent and child. This tool is not meant as a replacement for individual and family therapy. Rather, it is a valuable adjunct to these services, facilitating the healing of broken relationships and improving confidence in both parent and child.  

Kim Peterson, MA, LPC-S, RPT is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist in Kingwood, Texas. She is the founder and owner of Kingwood Counseling & Play Therapy, where provides psychotherapy for individuals, families, and couples, as well as clinical supervision for LPC Interns. Kim is also committed to educating the community through her popular blog Kim's Counseling Corner.

Email Kim at kim@kimscounseling.com for more information. 

Play Therapy Rocks!

By Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT - Guest Blogger


Being a play therapist is one of the best jobs in the world and I often want to shout it from the rooftops. I am a strong advocate for building awareness of play therapy and speaking out on the importance of play. 

In May 2013, I had the opportunity to present a workshop in Israel on "The Healing Power of Stones: Interventions that Rock." Few people knew what play therapy was and "stones" were not seen as a symbol of healing. In Israel stones represent the destruction of the temple, the Israeli/ Arab conflict, and stones were used as a weapon. Many parents would not allow their children to bring stones into their home as they feared they would be used in a violent manner. 

The healing power of stones and rocks are limitless and they can become a valuable tool for any professional working with children. Stones can bring us back to our earliest childhood memories as well as keep us centered. Workshop participants learned that playing with stones can bring hours of entertainment to a child and quiet their nervous system. These activities will help children learn to verbalize their feelings, decrease anxiety, build resilience, gain connection, and quiet the child’s mind.

During the two hour playful interactive workshop, participants gained a handful of creative interventions that are simple and effective. These interventions can be used with any age group and any setting. The interventions and use of stones were experienced through story-telling, game play, sand tray and group work. 

Through case studies, mindfulness exercises, and play interventions, participants learned both directive and non-directive child-centered play therapy techniques to aid in the healing process. The workshop ended with a community sandtray to honor the healing power of play.

One of the class participant’s stated" We can now see the educational power of everyday objects that surround us on a daily basis." 

Introducing play therapy in Israel was an experience I will cherish forever. Although, cultures may be different and we have to be aware of the populations that we work with, if we trust the process and understand that play is universal, great strides can be made and healing will occur. 

For specific "Activities that Rock" see my blog Imagery Through Play.

Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist with a specialty in Sandtray Play Therapy. She received her Masters of Social Work from University of Pennsylvania and trained at The Family and Play Therapy Center in Philadelphia. Tammi is an international presenter and advocate. She owns a private practice where she sees children, families, teens and adults. You can follow Tammi on her Face Book Page. 

The Power of Play

By Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S - Guest Blogger

Play is a fun, enjoyable activity that is the natural way in which children learn about and explore the world around them. It elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life. 

Play Therapy utilizes this natural ability of children and uses developmentally appropriate techniques to expand self-expression, self-knowledge, self-actualization and self-efficacy. Play relieves feelings of stress and boredom, connects us to people in a positive way, stimulates creative thinking and exploration, regulates our emotions, and boosts our ego. In addition, play allows us to practice skills and roles needed for survival. Play is a powerful tool in healing the relationships of children and families.  

When children explore their world through the lens of play therapy, the sky is the limit.  They can become a superhero in their own process of healing and growth.  They find their strength, their resiliency, their inner voice and worth.  I like to use the following play therapy technique when I am working with children who are experiencing anxiety symptoms, or those who have or currently are experiencing bullying.  This also works well for children who have been exposed to trauma.
 
The SuperHero In The Mirror™ Technique:

Supplies Needed: 

Dress up clothes including masks, capes, etc.

Full length mirror 

Directions: 

Have the child stand in front of the mirror in his everyday clothes and describe the person he sees. Begin putting on one article of superhero accessories for every strength or super power he wishes he had right now. As soon as the child feels he looks like a superhero, have him describe the superhero he sees in the mirror as well as in his imagination.   

Explore what it would feel like to be that superhero: what would he do, who would he save, what powers would he use, etc.   Have him practice being this superhero and enact what he could do to change the situation he is currently struggling with.   

At the end of the session, write down what superhero powers he already has and didn’t realize with the homework assignment of practicing being a superhero in the mirror every day. You may also want to send home a mask as a visual reminder.

Clair Mellenthin, LCSW holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Throughout her career, she has focused on providing therapy to children, teens, and their families. She is currently the Clinical Director at Wasatch Family Therapy.  Ms. Mellenthin is a sought after play therapy supervisor, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California MSW program, and the President of the Utah Association For Play Therapy.  In addition, Ms. Mellenthin frequently presents professional play therapy trainings and appears on local and national TV and radio as an expert on children and family issues.  For more information about Clair visit her web site Clair Mellenthin.