In filial play therapy the parents are true partners with the therapist in bringing about positive changes in their family's life. In many types of play therapy, the therapist holds play sessions directly with the child and meets with the parents separately to discuss other issues. In filial play therapy, under the therapist's guidance, the parents learn to conduct a special type of play session with their own children. The parents are considered true partners in the entire therapeutic process. Parents are very capable of learning to conduct these special play sessions.
Parents are the most important people in their children's lives.
This method of strengthening the family capitalizes on this fact, and children need not develop a whole new relationship with a therapist. When parents are involved in play therapy as they are in filial therapy, the changes are usually positive and long-lasting. When involved in filial play therapy, parents usually learn how to understand their children better through their play. This understanding can help parents as they make childrearing decisions. Filial play therapy strengthens the parent-child relationship directly, and everyone in the family benefits.