Family Play Therapy Play therapy offers a developmentally appropriate approach to help children mediate the negative impact of divorce. Family play therapy is a type of play therapy that combines play therapy and basic family therapy principles, enabling the entire family to be involved in the play therapy process (Schaefer, 2011). Family play therapy is particularly suited to address the needs of the entire family during and after divorce (Chen
et.al., 2019; Gil, 2015). In what follows, we review three family-based play approaches to behavior problems, grief or loss, trauma, and of divorce: Adlerian Therapy, Filial Therapy, and Family Sandtray Therapy.
Adlerian family play therapy represents an approach where therapists integrate fundamental principles of family therapy and the foundations of Adlerian play therapy to assist families in navigating their life struggles and addressing various emotional at home may lead to loss of emotional security and weakened familial relationships (Anderson, 2014). Adlerian play therapists allow family members to articulate themselves, fostering a comprehensive understanding of each family member's lifestyles methods. The goal of Adlerian family therapy is to mend disrupted attachment, foster functional family dynamics and strengthen the parent-child bonds following the divorce (Chen et al., 2021).
Adlerian Family Play Therapy is an approach that encourages positive interactions, understanding individual roles within the family, and promoting cooperative problem-solving. Adlerian Family Play Therapy helps foster
functional family dynamics
Therapists engage family members in play-based activities that reveal underlying issues and promote open communication. For instance, a family might participate in a collaborative game where each member has to contribute to solving a puzzle. During this activity, the therapist observes interactions and guides the family in discussing their communication patterns and problem-solving strategies. This can help family members understand each other’s perspectives, improve their ability to work together, and strengthen their emotional bonds (Kottman & Meany-Walen, 2016). According to Kottman and Meany-Walen (2016), such activities are designed to "increase the family's awareness of their interactional patterns and help them develop more functional ways of relating to one another," (Kottman & Meany-Walen, 2016, p. 165). This approach skills for healthy family dynamics (Kottman & Meany-Walen, 2016).
Another effective seminal play therapy theory used with families dealing with divorce is Filial Therapy. The Filial Therapy approach was developed by Bernard and Louise Guerney in the early 1960s in response to the growing demand for and unavailability of mental health services for children and their families (Guerney, 2000). More recently, Landreth & Bratton (2019) developed a shortened 10
CLINICAL EDITOR’S COMMENTS:
Inclusion of family members in play therapy is vital for children experiencing divorce, and can improve communication, connection, and healing.
session version of Filial Therapy called Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). CPRT is both an intervention and preventative approach that can help both children and parents by training parents in Child-Centered Play Therapy principles and skills. CPRT was founded on the central belief that the parent-child relationship is the most vital mechanism for change in the child’s life. Thus, CPRT uses the pre-existing bond between child and parent, based on the assumption that the parent can have a greater therapeutic and emotional impact on the child than the therapist. Further, the they grow and develop over time (Landreth & Bratton, 2019).
A Filial approach is highly successful for children who experience
divorce, as it enhances parental awareness of their behaviors and equips them with tools they can continue using at home even after therapy concludes, resulting in longer-lasting positive outcomes and a strong parent-child relationship (Landreth & Bratton, 2019). revealed that 76% of them noticed ongoing improvements in their children's well-being even 1 to 3 years post-treatment, with 86% reporting sustained enhancement” (Cornett & Bratton, 2015, p. 4). Filial therapy enables the child to determine their activities within parent regarding the child's needs and feelings expressed through play, promptly acknowledging and accepting these emotions, and teaching the child to take responsibility for their actions through consistent enforcement of limits during sessions.
When comparing the CPRT and Adlerian therapy models, it is essential to understand the distinct approaches each method setting limits, and following the child's lead during play sessions. This helps parents to better understand their child's emotional world and respond more effectively, thereby enhancing the parent- child relationship (Landreth & Bratton, 2019). The CPRT model effectively improves family functioning by enhancing parents' understanding of their child's emotional needs and equipping them with practical skills to support their child's development. The therapist's role in training and supervising the parents is crucial in achieving these positive outcomes. This method contrasts with Adlerian therapy, which focuses more on understanding family dynamics and individual motivations rather than on direct skill- building in communication and play techniques. In Adlerian therapy, the therapist typically works with both parents and children to
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