ABSTRACT
Filial therapy (FT) is an approach for training parents (as well as grandparents, foster parents, and other long-term committed caregivers) to conduct filial sessions or “special playtime” (SPT) with their own children. The method has been used to train parents in a variety of therapeutic formats, including moderate-length groups, short-term groups, and individual parent or single couple sessions.
By studying this chapter, the reader will:
Develop a knowledge of the historical roots of FT.
Identify the goals and outcomes of FT.
Be introduced to the outcome literature on the effectiveness of FT.
Identify criteria for determining when FT may be appropriate.
Be able to identify the major stages of the FT training process and the tasks associated with each stage.
