Child Parent Relationship Training (CPRT)

Strengthening the parent-child relationship through therapeutic play, connection, and emotional understanding.

“Filial therapy is not focused on solving problems or a quick fix but, rather, is structured to enhance the relationship between parent and child with the parent serving as the therapeutic agent of change.” - Dr. Garry Landreth

What is Child Parent Relationship Training (CPRT)?

Child Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) is an evidence-based, 11-week training program designed to support parents and their young children. In CPRT, parents are guided by a licensed play therapist and learn how to conduct therapeutic play sessions with their children at home, without needing to send their child to individual child therapy.

CPRT focuses on strengthening the parent-child relationship by helping parents better understand and respond to their child’s underlying emotional needs rather than focusing only on behaviors or symptoms. Parents learn therapeutic skills they can use during “special play time” at home, as well as in everyday parenting situations such as emotional outbursts, power struggles, or moments of distress.

Benefits of CPRT

CPRT supports both the emotional wellbeing of children and the confidence of parents:

  • Strengthens connection and communication between parent and child

  • Helps create a more harmonious home environment with fewer power struggles

  • Builds parents’ confidence in responding to behavior with empathy and consistent boundaries

  • Supports children’s emotional needs, often reducing the intensity of challenging behaviors

  • Gives parents long-term tools they can continue using with any child in the home

Why is CPRT Effective?

CPRT equips parents with practical therapeutic skills they can use in everyday life:

  • Parents can apply these therapeutic skills throughout everyday life, not just during therapy sessions

  • Parents become the primary agents of change in their child’s life

  • The skills learned in CPRT can continue benefiting families for years

  • CPRT empowers parents rather than creating dependency on therapy

  • Over time, CPRT may be more cost-effective than long-term therapy for one or multiple children

“Play is the child’s language and toys are their words.”

— Dr. Garry Landreth