Patty Scanlon
(1960 – 2011)

"I tried to teach my child with books,
he gave me only puzzled looks.
"I tried to teach my child with words,
they passed him by unheard.
"In despair I turned aside,
'How will I teach my child?',
I cried.
"Into my hand he put the key,
'Come' he said, 'and play with me!' "
-Author unknown

About Filial Therapy

“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” – Alex Haley

Filial therapy is parent-child therapy. In filial therapy, parents learn specific skills to conduct special play sessions with their child at home. The therapist takes the role of educator to the parent, teaching and supervising while the parent practices the specific play skills with the child in session. Through this process, parent and child grow together. It is the parent who facilitates change, rather than the therapist. Filial therapy is a very empowering experience for parents!

Filial therapy has been used since the 1960s. It is a well-researched model and has been found to be highly effective for a broad array of issues. It has been applied effectively to multiple populations, across cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, including teacher-child populations. Several names for the method have evolved through this variety of applications, but fundamental to each application is the teaching of special skills in order to heal and/or prevent problems. Filial therapy has the goal of strengthening families. See also Links page.

Playroom at PlayJourneys, Inc.