FILIAL/FAMILY PLAY THERAPY: AN INTERVENTION FOR CUSTODIAL GRANDPARENTS AND THEIR GRANDCHILDREN

Abstract

Families headed by custodial grandparents form an increasing portion of the population with particular needs. In the last decade there has been a significant rise in the number of grandparents assuming primary responsibility for their grandchildren whose parents are absent or incapacitated. Grandparents encounter many challenges in adjusting to their changing role; and their grandchildren, most of whom are disconnected from their parents, face an increased risk of emotional/ behavioral difficulties. The Filial/Family Play Therapy (FFPT) grandparent training model is a unique intervention for custodial grandparents aimed at fostering healthy parent‐child relationships through training and supervising grandparents in the basic methodology of child‐centered play therapy, while providing them with the emotional support they need. Grandparents conduct weekly play therapy‐type sessions with their grandchild; learning to convey acceptance, empathy, and encouragement, as well as master the skills of effective limit setting.