Filial Family Therapy

Filial Family Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that teaches parents and caregivers to hold special, therapeutic play sessions with their own children. Developed by Drs. Bernard and Louise Guerney, the model honors parents as powerful agents of change in their children’s emotional lives.

Practitioners train parents in core skills of child-centered play, then coach and support them as they hold regular play sessions at home. Over time, these sessions help children express feelings, work through difficult experiences, and strengthen their sense of being known and valued—while parents deepen their understanding of their child’s inner world.

Filial therapy is especially helpful for families navigating transitions, behavior concerns, trauma recovery, or strained parent-child connection. Many families find that the process reshapes not just specific concerns, but the overall tone and closeness of family life.

Browse the practitioners listed here to learn about their background and approach, or contact us to find the right match for your needs.