A Qualitative Study of an Intensive Filial Intervention Using Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to hear from a group of African American parents who were living in poverty about their experience participating in a short-term, intensive child-parent relationship therapy intervention (CPRT). The parents who participated were recruited from a parent enrichment program for parents of preschoolers and were interviewed about the parent-child relationship before and after the group sessions. In addition, parents reported on barriers to utilizing counseling services related to their parenting needs. Following an intensive 4-week CPRT group intervention, the parents described their experiences about participating in the group sessions and how it impacted their parent-child relationship. Parents discussed changes in their perceptions of parenting, child's play, and CPRT group process. Implications are discussed.

Integration of play therapy in medical settings: Understanding the link between mental health and medical health.

“…This process alone could decrease stressful situations for parents and increase the potential for parents to show up for follow up appointments. Merging play therapy in medical settings can be a great resource to support families (Socarras et al, 2015).…”

“…Families may find conveniences in a "one stop shop." Services in one location have the potential to maintain consistency and compliance (Socarras et al, 2015). Harris (2018) and colleagues created a multidimensional model for children, adolescents, and families residing in a low-income area in California.…”

“…Parents are the primary focus in filial play therapy, this is why this approach would be the best approach to utilize within a medical setting (Cheng et al, 2017). Filial play therapy is a short-term intensive intervention that helps parents reflect on their parenting perceptions (Socarras et al, 2015). Parents report feeling closer to their children and having fewer behavioral problems with their children after completing filial play therapy training.…”

Narratives and processes – Developing a responsive parent–child program to empower local facilitators in a remote Aboriginal community

“…Many families have numerous sources of stress and competing priorities as well as social, historical and cultural factors that affect their ability to participate in intervention programs. Parents want the multiple stressors they experience in daily life to be understood and perceive that services often do not fit their own cultural values and lifestyles (Socarras et al, 2015). Therefore, parenting programs need to 'understand and work with local knowledges and belief systems' (Young et al, 2013).…”

Implementing play and language therapy to work with preschool children with language and behavioral issues.

“…Collaborating with play therapists (PTs) who work with preschool youth can enhance this knowledge and potential interventions. For instance, relationship-based play therapy interventions such as Child Teacher Relationship Therapy have proven to be effective at helping to develop positive relationships and behaviors in non-counseling settings (Socarras et al, 2015). When integrated with developmental language strategies, play therapy skills can potentially address communication, social, and behavioral needs of preschool children with comorbid language and behavior issues (Parsons et al, 2019).…”