Family Therapy (Filial Therapy)
**OFFERING THIS MODALITY VIA TELEHEALTH AND IN CLINIC
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Derived from the Latin words "fillius" (meaning "son") and "filia" (meaning "daughter"), Filial Therapy is an evidence-based psychoeducational family intervention. Central to this approach is the utilization of play to strengthen the parent-child relationship, with a core focus on empowering parents and caregivers as catalysts for change in their child’s life. The therapist is both a trainer and supervisor for the parents. Filial Therapy typically spans 10-20 sessions based on the family's specific needs. Parents are equipped with five essential skills during the training process; structuring, empathic listening, imaginary play, limit setting, and identification of play themes. The journey of Filial Therapy involves seven stages, with some sessions conducted only with the parents and other stages involving the entire family.
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Common goals we work towards include:
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For Children:
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Developing an understanding of their own and other's feelings
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Expressing their feelings in appropriate ways to meet their needs better
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Developing their problem-solving skills, reducing their problematic behaviours
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Working through their conflicts, and dilemmas
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Increasing their trust in their parents
For Parents:
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Develop an increased understanding of their children's development, their feelings, and motivations
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Learn about the importance of play and emotion in overall adjustment
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Open up their communication with their children
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Develop their self-confidence as parents
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Increase their feelings of warmth and trust towards their children
For the Family:
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Reduce or eliminate the problems that brought the family into therapy
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Help the family prevent future problems
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Strengthen the parent-child attachments and relationships within the family
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Improve the family's communication abilities, coping abilities, and develop more flexibility within the family
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Increase the family's ability to have fun together