Powers of Play FT makes systematic use of


family members as primary change


agents. The vehicle of change is the therapeutically oriented process of play, which creates positive bonding experiences that strengthen attachment between parent and child.


In addition, the summary NIMH report by B. Guerney and Stover (1971) showed that the process or mechanism of change was the parents’ increased ability to employ acceptance and empathy, as well as allowing children to be self-directive during play sessions and employing effective limit setting to establish safety, emotional security, and respectful authority with and for their children.


FT makes systematic use of family members as


primary change agents. The vehicle of change is the


therapeutically oriented process of play, which creates positive bonding experiences that strengthen attachment between parent and child.


 statistical changes in children over the weeks of therapy in ratings of affection, aggression, dependence, leadership, contact with their mothers, and role-playing” (Guerney & Ryan, 2013, p. 28). Moreover, Sywulak (1979) demonstrated that the positive changes in parent variables preceded and fostered positive changes in children’s outcomes.


Conclusion A meta-analysis of all play therapy modalities for which research existed at the time (e.g., Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005) demonstrated that   and salutary effect on the practice of both family therapy and play therapy.


References Axline, V. (1947). Play therapy: The inner dynamics of childhood. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.


 therapy with children: A meta-analytic review of the outcome research. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36, 375-390.


22 | PLAYTHERAPY September 2019 | www.a4pt.org


Guerney, B. G., Jr. (1964). Filial therapy: Description and rationale. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 28, 303-310.


Guerney, B. G., Jr., & Stover, L. (1971). Filial therapy: Final report on NIMH grant 1826401. (Available from IDEALS/NIRE; inquiries can be made through www.nire.org.)


Guerney, L. (1980). Filial therapy [DVD]. State College, PA: Ideals, Inc. (Available through www.nire.org.)


Guerney, L. (2014). Parenting: A skills training program (6th ed.). North Bethesda, MD: IDEALS, Inc. (Available through www.nire.org.)


Guerney, L., & Ryan, V. (2013).      guide to teaching parents to play therapeutically with their children. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.


Ortwein, M. C. (1997). Mastering the magic of play: Training manual  Silver Spring, MD: IDEALS, Inc. (Available through www.nire.org.)


Sensue, M. (1981). Filial therapy follow-up study: Effects on parental acceptance


and child development. Dissertation Abstracts International, 42(1), 0148B.


                 Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 4(3), 110-115.


Stover, L., Guerney, B. G., Jr., & O’Connell, M. (1971). Measurements of acceptance, allowing self-direction, involvement, and empathy in adult-child interaction. Journal of Psychology, 77, 261-269.


 acceptance


and child adjustment. Dissertation International, 38(12), 6180B.


VanFleet, R. (2013). Filial therapy: Strengthening parent-child relationships through play. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.


ABOUT THE AUTHORS


Robert Scuka, PhD, MSW, LCSW-C, is Executive Director of The National Institute of Relationship Enhancement®


of NIRE’s play therapy faculty. robscuka@earthlink.net


in Kensington, MD, and a member Abstracts


Louise Guerney, PhD, RPT-S (Retired), along with her late husband Bernard G. Guerney, Jr.,  therapy. She is an Association for Play Therapy Director Emeritus and Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, and more recently, the co-author (with Virginia Ryan) of Group Filial Therapy (2013). glouise1@verizon.net


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