filial therapy
What is Filial Therapy?
Filial Therapy is a unique blend of family therapy and play therapy that enhances connection between children and caregivers. It provides parents with a deeper philosophical understanding of their children, a practical framework and effective tools to improve behavioural difficulties, and a process that enhances children’s socioemotional development.
This approach is a developmentally appropriate and effective way to support kids. Instead of relying on cognitive and top-down changes, it utilises attachment principles and the medium of play to address the child’s struggles, using the natural bond between caregiver and child as the bridge for long-term, positive changes in real life.
Who Is It For?
Filial Therapy is an effective mental health intervention for kids aged 3 to 12, who struggle with…
- Angry oubursts, fights
- Frequent meltdowns (e.g. screaming, fighting, sobbing)
- High anxiety (e.g. strong need for control, bedwetting, separation anxiety, neediness)
- Family stressors (loss of parent, divorce, siblings)
- Past traumatic experience (accidents, loss, neglect, etc.)
- A rupture or strain in their relationship with caregivers
It is ideal for parents/caregivers like you if…
- You would like to build more meaningful connection with your child
- You as the parent are open to self-reflection
- You are relatively stable and supported, not in crisis mode
- You’re ready to commit to a training process of 10-12 weeks
Outcomes of Filial Therapy
Filial Therapy effectively reduces symptoms of anger, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, and strengthens self-esteem and relationships:
- Improved relationships with parents, teachers, peers
- Strengthened self-esteem
- Fewer fights
- Better attention in class
- Fewer meltdowns (‘tantrums’)
- Improved self-regulation
- Higher self-confidence
- Reduced anxious behaviours
How It Works
- Participate in 12 weekly individual sessions, or 10 weekly group sessions.
- You’ll spend the first session playing with your child in my playroom.
- Learn child-led therapeutic play skills grounded in empathy and presence.
- Tools and framework to co-regulate and communicate more easily with your child
- Guide you to navigate fight or flight scenarios with your child
- With support, learn to facilitate regular child-led playtime, first in the office and then at home (weekly 30-minute play sessions), to heal and improve your connection via presence and play
Adeline Chang
I’ve worked with children for nearly a decade. supporting their growth and development – across special education, music education, preschool teaching, forest school coaching, and counselling.
I’m dedicated to helping children overcome their anger, anxiety, and past trauma, so that families can heal. With the support of this evidence-based work, stressed and worried parents can finally come out of firefighting mode, feel empowered to rebuild precious connections, and nurture the loving and joyful family they’ve always wanted.
Though I work one-on-one with kids when doing CCPT, parents and familiies are always part of the process – by working together, we enhance children’s progress and create more sustainable, long-term shifts. In Filial Therapy, this impact is supercharged as I work directly with parents and empower them to become the agents of therapeutic change for their children.
Qualifications:
+ Master of Counselling
+ Postgrad Dip in Counselling Psychology
+ Bachelor of European Studies (Honours), Minor in Sociology
+ Certification in Child Centred Play Therapy (Child Centred Australia)
+ Certification in AutPlay Therapy (AutPlay Therapy, ongoing)
+ Certification in Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy Level 1 (Satir Pacific, ongoing)
+ Certification in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFTi)
Registration:
+ Provisional Clinical Member (Singapore Association for Counselling)
+ Provisional Member (Association for Play Therapy Singapore)
+ Register of Play Therapists (Child Centred Australia)
- Are you tired of constantly clashing with your child?
- Feeling overwhelmed because they always seem angry, anxious, or sad?
- Lying awake at night, worried about their response to a recent trauma in the family?
Your child can overcome their challenges without being forced, coerced, or feeling like they’re the problem. We pave the way to change from the inside-out, by speaking their language.
Adeline Chang
Counsellor & Play Therapist
EFT Practitioner (EFTi)
Forest Walker, Sea Swimmer
About Me
I’ve been dedicated to children for nearly a decade, working as teacher (special education/piano/preschool), coach and facilitator (forest school), and counsellor. In my free time, I like reading books, taking walks in nature, geeking out on languages and movies, and baking bread.
Join me as I support you and your child, so they feel more resilient, confident, and heal from the inside out. Everything gets better from there.