The Power of Connection with Child-Parent Relationship Therapy
WRITTEN BY: Claire Burkemper
Take a moment and think back to when you were a child. Think of one adult that made you feel special, loved, and important. Now really think about what they did to make you feel that way.
For me, I can’t remember the tangible actions of this person being what made them stand out, but rather how they acted and responded to me and how that made me feel special.
Your time is the biggest gift that you can give to a child. Not just time going to the park or time physically in the same room, but your presence. Your physical, mental, and emotional presence. This may seem quite unrealistic as many of us struggle to even be present to ourselves throughout the day, but Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) provides a step-by-step guide on how to implement special bonding time with you and your child.
-
Dr. Garry Landreth, the founder of Child-Centered Play Therapy, was dedicated to giving away his skills to the caregivers that he worked with. Dr. Landreth knew the importance of a positive relationship in a child’s life, like the one that I asked you to remember at the beginning of this blog.
Those relationships shape us, stay with us, and deeply impact us throughout our lives. The most important relationships in a child’s life are the ones with their primary caregivers.
This is why Dr. Landreth created a 10-week therapeutic group for caregivers, so he could “give away” the tools of a play therapist to empower caregivers in building stronger relationships with their child.
-
Participants of CPRT are caregivers only. This is not a program that includes your child but is just for you, the adult in their life.
Caregivers often seek CPRT when they have been struggling with the relationship with one of their children.
Maybe your child’s behaviors are overwhelming and dysregulating for you? Maybe your child keeps breaking rules and pushing boundaries and you feel worn down and annoyed?
CPRT provides parents with a new way to relate to and connect with their child. It provides a step-by-step guide to incorporating a “special playtime” with you and your child. It empowers caregivers to learn Child-Centered Play Therapy tenants and to grow in positive relationships with their child during a time of struggle and difficulty.
-
Non-Judgmental Safe Space:
CPRT is conducted with a group of caregivers. This aspect is such a healing part of the group because often caregivers feel alone and isolated in their struggles. It can be hard to share caregiving struggles, which is why validation, and the creation of a safe and non-judgmental space is essential for these groups. Caregivers should feel heard, supported, and respected as they seek to better understand themselves and their child.
30 Min. Special Playtime:
Caregivers are required to carve out 30 minutes once a week to spend with their child—no phone, TV, other children, or distractions. The therapist leading your group will work with you to find ways to incorporate this into your weekly routine. This is an essential aspect of CPRT and where all the “magic” happens.
What’s Happening Now isn’t Working, Let’s Try a New Way:
There is a reason that caregivers seek CPRT (or even find themselves here reading this blog) what you have tried with your child already hasn’t been working the way you’ve wanted.
CPRT does not assume that what you’ve tried in the past is wrong or bad, but rather that your child has not responded to it in the way that you’ve desired. CPRT seeks to show a new way that may work betterfor both you and your child. The therapist running the group builds from what you’ve already tried and sees you as an expert on your child and situation.
Remember your special person from childhood?
It may feel unrealistic, daunting, and tiring to imagine being that person for your child at this time, but this is the goal of CPRT. The goal of connection, relationship, and joy between you and your child. Because we know that when there is connection, there is less power struggle, when there is joy, there is less anger and tension, and when there is relationship, there is understanding. If you feel like CPRT may be a good fit for you, reach out to Bud to Bloom! We are currently offering CPRT on an individual basis and hope to form a group in the near future, to stay updated on groups join our waitlist!
