The Play Therapy Training Institute, Inc.

Seminar #298
PARENT-CHILD (FILIAL) PLAY THERAPY
INSTRUCTOR: Risė VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S
Saturday February 10 & Sunday February 11, 2007 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Course Description

Filial Play Therapy is a highly effective intervention integrating play and family therapies to address child and family problems.  Therapists learn how to train and supervise parents (or caregivers) as they learn to conduct special child-centered play sessions with their own children (ages 3-12), an approach designed to resolve presenting problems while strengthening family relationships.  Filial Play Therapy has been used successfully with many child/family problems: anxiety, attachment disruption, depression, oppositional behaviors, abuse/neglect, single parenting, adoption/foster care, relationship problems, divorce, family substance abuse, toileting difficulties, trauma, family reunification, domestic violence, chronic illness, etc.  A 35 year research history consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of FPT in empowering children, parents, and families to change.  This workshop covers the concept and methods of Filial Therapy.  Lecture material is enhanced by videotapes and case illustrations, and participants will have an opportunity to practice the primary skills of FPT in a small-group format.  A prior basic knowledge of nondirective or Child-Centered Play Therapy is encouraged.

Course Objectives

Describe at least 1 advantage (each) Filial Therapy offers over (a) individual play therapy and (b) parenting skills classes

Describe at 3 things the therapist might do during a mock play session to help the parent learn the skills and succeed

Know how to conduct a mock play session with a parent (at the basic, beginner's level)

Give parent feedback on their play sessions in a collaborative manner

Use empathetic skills with parents to better understand and engage them in the process

INSTRUCTOR: Risė VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist and is the founder and Director of the Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center, a clinic and training center located in Boiling Springs, PA.  She is Past President/Board Chair of the Association for Play Therapy and is the author of Filial Therapy: Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships through Play, A Parent’s Handbook for Filial Play Therapy, and coeditor of Casebook of Filial Therapy.