Filial Therapy: Shifting the Balance

Abstract

The author presents an argument for the inclusion of filial therapy as an empirically researched treatment in child mental health services. Filial therapy is a hybrid form of child-centred or non-directive play therapy that actively involves parents in the delivery of their child’s therapy. Developed in the 1960s by Bernard and Louise Guerney, Pennsylvania State University, USA, filial therapy can be understood as a relationship-enhancing therapy that provides a bridge between family therapy and play therapy. The author argues the case for filial therapy to be more widely adopted in the UK on two counts. First, as an integrated therapy filial therapy avoids the traditional ‘either/or’ treatment options of play and family therapy, allowing the intrapsychic or intrapersonal issues of the child to be addressed directly within the family system. Second, being taught child-centred play therapy skills to use with their children empowers parents and creates a shift away from the usual perception of the therapist being seen as the ‘expert’ or the one who can best help the child in question.