According to the most recent U.S. Surgeon General's report on mental health, it is crucial for family counselors to use parents and families as partners in delivery of mental health services for children. Filial therapy, a unique, evidenced-based approach, may be useful for fulfilling the aforementioned mandate because filial therapy teaches parents to be the primary therapeutic agent of change in the lives of their children. This article overviews the basic principles and procedures of filial therapy training and provides a case study illustrating this strategy for building strong parent-child relationships.
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