Filial Therapy

Filial or Child-Parent Relational Therapy is a special kind of therapy where parents play an important role in helping their child feel better and grow emotionally. Instead of just the therapist working with the child, parents are taught how to use therapeutic play techniques at home. This helps parents understand their child's feelings and needs better.

Through fun and structured play sessions, parents and children build a stronger bond, improve communication, and learn to handle emotions and behaviours more effectively.

This type of therapy not only helps children thrive but also brings families closer together, creating a loving and supportive environment for everyone.

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CPRT Therapy

Sun Rose Children’s Therapy offers filial therapy, also known as CPRT, to strengthen the bond between parents and their children. This method teaches parents how to use therapeutic play techniques that support emotional growth, healthy communication, and secure attachment. Instead of therapy occurring only in the clinic, parents actively participate in guided sessions, creating meaningful change at home and in daily life.

Our approach to parent-child relationship therapy services focuses on empowering parents to understand their child’s emotions, behaviours, and needs more deeply. Through nurturing and structured filial play, families learn to connect more openly and respond to challenges with confidence and empathy.

CPRT therapy is beneficial for children experiencing emotional regulation concerns, anxiety, behavioural difficulties, trauma-related responses, low confidence, and challenges with connection or communication. By involving parents directly in the therapeutic process, children gain consistent emotional support across all environments.

Why Choose Us?

Expertise in CPRT therapy and family-centred interventions

A compassionate approach that strengthens emotional connection

Practical techniques that can be used at home, school, and everyday settings

Guidance tailored to your child’s age, personality, and developmental needs

A safe and supportive environment for parents and children to learn together

Strong knowledge in ADHD, trauma, and emotional development

Collaboration with teachers and educational settings when needed

Building stronger families one play session at a time

Filial Therapy empowers parents and children, strengthening their bond through fun and therapeutic play — bringing joy and positive change to every family.

How It Works

Filial Therapy is a short, focused intervention typically consisting of 15 sessions. The first step is to fill Intake Form or email us at

0402 364 508

Fees Information

For more information related to fees, please contact us.

Financial Accessibility

We understand that finances can be a concern. Please talk to us if you need assistance.
NDIS: You can use funds from your child's self-managed or plan-managed NDIS budget for Filial Therapy.

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If you’re looking for a gentle and effective way to improve communication and connection with your child, filial therapy can make a powerful difference. Book a session with our qualified therapists to begin learning the skills that support calmer routines, stronger bonds, and healthier emotional expression.

We offer flexible appointments across North and West Melbourne, with sessions available in our clinic or within educational settings depending on your location. Contact us today to get started with CPRT therapy and experience meaningful growth in your family relationships.

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FAQs

Filial therapy can really help you as a parent in these ways:

It helps you better understand how your child is growing and developing — not just physically, but emotionally and socially too.
You'll learn to connect with your child's feelings and understand why they do what they do.
It shows you how important play is for your child's happiness and learning.
You'll pick up new skills and ideas that can bring out the best in your child and make parenting easier.
It teaches you how to talk and listen to your child so they feel heard and understood.
By learning these skills, you'll feel more sure of yourself as a parent and more positive about your relationship with your child.
It helps you build a stronger, warmer relationship with your child, based on trust and understanding.

Overall, filial therapy helps you become a more confident and understanding parent, making family life more enjoyable and supportive for everyone.

Filial therapy can really help your child in these ways:

It helps them understand their own feelings better, which is important for knowing themselves.
Your child will learn how to express their feelings in ways that help them get what they need.
They'll learn to make better choices and take responsibility for them, which builds their independence.
It can help reduce behaviours that might be causing problems.
Your child will learn how to work through conflicts and challenges, which makes them better at dealing with tough situations.
It can strengthen the trust between you and your child, making your relationship even stronger.
By learning these skills, your child will feel more sure of themselves and feel better about who they are.

Overall, Filial Therapy helps your child grow emotionally and handle life's ups and downs with more confidence and understanding.

Filial therapy can really help your family in these ways:

It can reduce or solve the problems that led your family to seek therapy in the first place.
It helps your family learn ways to prevent similar issues from happening in the future.
It strengthens the bond between parents and children, making your family relationships closer and more supportive.
It improves how your family talks and listens to each other, making it easier to understand and support one another.
It helps your family learn better ways to handle challenges and tough times together.
Your family will become more flexible and adaptable, which can make daily life smoother.
It increases your family's ability to have fun and enjoy activities together, creating happy memories.
It gives your family practical tools and ideas that you can use now and in the future to keep growing and supporting each other.

Overall, filial therapy helps your family become stronger, happier, and better able to handle whatever life throws your way.

Filial Therapy is a great option for children and their families of different ages who might need help with their relationships. If difficulties such as anxiety, ADHD, depression, or problems from chronic illness or separation have impacted your bond with your child, then filial therapy can be a great option. It can also be helpful if you feel that you don't understand your child. If your child struggles with aggressive behaviours, attachment issues, or oppositional defiance, Filial Therapy can also be beneficial. It's designed to support children in improving their behaviour and emotions.

Here's a simple breakdown of how it works:

Training for Parents: First, parents learn how to conduct play sessions. A therapist teaches them specific skills and techniques, like how to set up a play session, how to reflect on the child’s feelings, and how to encourage the child’s play without directing it.
Play Sessions at Home: Once parents are trained, they start doing regular play sessions with their child at home. These sessions usually last about 30 minutes and happen once or twice a week.
Therapist Support: Throughout the process, parents continue to meet with the therapist to discuss how the play sessions are going. The therapist provides feedback, support, and additional training as needed. This helps parent feel confident and effective in their role.

In essence, Filial Therapy empowers parents to be active participants in their child’s therapeutic journey, using the power of play to foster a deeper connection and support their child's development.

In Filial Therapy, parents receive special training from a therapist to learn how to use specific play therapy techniques. These include empathic listening, setting limits, imaginative play, and creating structure during playtime. These skills help you connect better with your child, strengthen your relationship, and address any challenges you might face together. The training is designed to be supportive and fun, making it easier for you to help your child express their feelings and improve your time together.