Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path.

(Zen proverb)

Filial Therapy

Filial Therapy is a type of family intervention based on partnership between the therapist and the parents. The therapist guides the parents to acquire and implement therapeutic skills with their children and therefore, the parents themselves become the main agents contributing to the therapeutic change process.

Filial Therapy aims to:

  • improve parenting skills and strategies for the caregivers to understand their children better

  • strengthen family relationships

  • open communication

  • decrease levels of stress in the family

  • eliminate undesired behavior

  • understand each other’s emotions

  • express and regulate own feelings

  • develop effective problem solving strategies

  • strengthen trust and security within family members

  • enhance responsibility for own choices

  • develop mastery

  • respect the importance of play

  • improve communication skills within family members

  • reduce levels of frustrations

My central London practice combines nonverbal, creative child play therapy with tailored parent support for diverse family needs.
Children accessing child play therapy in central London benefit from a nurturing environment, while parents receive ongoing parent support.

The key skills Filial Therapy trains parents are:

  • structuring

  • listening empathetically

  • enhancing child-led imaginary play

  • limit setting