Filial Therapy is a well-researched and evidence based model. It is the art of teaching parents how to use Play Therapy techniques at home. The goal is to utilize the special relationship that already exists between parent and child to bring about growth, healing and positive change.
How can Filial Therapy help?
Strengthen Bonds
Improve Listening Skills
Increase Communication
Grow Confidence
Promote Cooperation
Encourage Peacefulness
Establish Healthy Limit Setting
Diffuse Conflict and Power Struggles
Filial Therapy was developed in the 1960s by Bernard and Louise Gurney and has a long history of effectively helping children and families in a wide variety of settings and circumstances.
PARENT COACHING & FILIAL THERAPY
Guiding parents with practical strategies to better understand, support, and connect with their child.
As a participant in Filial Therapy you will learn how to conduct special playtimes with your child for 30 minutes each week. I will guide you through the process and offer feedback and coaching along the way.
These sessions may be held at my office, but doing them virtually is often a more successful approach. This method allows me to observe your playtime and then discuss it with you immediately afterwards.
What Is Parent Coaching & Filial Therapy?
Parent Coaching & Filial Therapy is a supportive, evidence-based approach that empowers parents to become active agents in their child’s emotional growth. Rather than focusing only on the child in therapy, this model strengthens the parent–child relationship by teaching parents therapeutic play and communication skills they can use at home.
In a guided and structured setting, parents learn how to better understand their child’s emotions, respond with confidence, and create a safe space for expression. With the support of a trained therapist, parents practice skills that foster connection, emotional regulation, and healthy development.
Filial therapy is not simply parenting advice. It is a structured therapeutic process that builds stronger bonds, improves behavior through connection, and equips families with long-term tools for resilience and growth.
How Parent Coaching & Filial Therapy Helps Families:
-
Strengthen the parent–child relationship
-
Improve communication and emotional understanding
-
Reduce behavioral challenges through connection-based strategies
-
Support children experiencing anxiety, stress, or life transitions
-
Increase parents’ confidence and consistency
-
Promote emotional regulation at home
-
Build long-term resilience within the family
By empowering parents with practical, therapeutic tools, coaching becomes a collaborative journey that nurtures trust, confidence, and lasting emotional well-being.
Who Benefits From Parent Coaching?
Parent coaching supports families by strengthening the parent–child relationship and equipping caregivers with practical, therapeutic tools to navigate emotional and behavioral challenges at home.
Parents Seeking Stronger Connection
Parent coaching helps caregivers build deeper trust and attachment with their child through intentional listening, empathy, and structured play skills that foster closeness and emotional safety.
Parents Managing Behavioral Challenges
Caregivers who feel overwhelmed by tantrums, defiance, transitions, or emotional outbursts gain practical strategies to respond calmly, set consistent limits, and encourage positive behavior through connection.
Families Navigating Stress or Life Changes
Parent coaching supports families adjusting to divorce, loss, relocation, medical concerns, or other major transitions by promoting stability, emotional understanding, and resilience within the home.
Why Choose Parent Coaching & Filial Therapy at The Peaceful Practice?
At The Peaceful Practice, parent coaching is designed to strengthen connection and empower caregivers with practical, therapeutic tools they can use at home. We create a supportive space where parents gain confidence, improve communication, and better understand their child’s emotional needs.
Our approach supports meaningful change while honoring each family’s unique strengths and challenges.
Our approach includes:
-
A calm, supportive environment for parents
-
Practical, evidence-based parenting strategies
-
Filial therapy skills parents can apply at home
-
Emotion-focused, connection-based guidance
-
Collaborative support tailored to each family
