The integrative approach to a therapy of parent-child relationship in the dir/floortime concept

Abstract

The article describes a therapeutic case that reveals specific features of the integration of play and family therapies in the DIR/Floortime concept. We analyze the particular aspects of working with a specific family with due regard for individual differences of a child. Through an interaction in a play space, the parents start to understand better the child's needs, while the child forms a significant relationship with the adults. When parents keep the child's play going, without imposing their own vision, the children realize their own value, the importance of their own opinion and interests. This position of an adult encourages the child to reflect on the situation and to search for attempts at solution; it also forms a mutually respectful context of relationship. The work by this method enables the development of a child, the improvement of the emotional contact and, in general, the mutual understanding in the family system.

Keywords

• play therapy
• family therapy
• parent-child relationship
• dir/floortime concept
• sensory system
• emotional contact
• mutual understanding
• understanding of needs