Educational Psychologist Online : Carina van Vuuren

17/11/2025

Every child should hear this!

10/11/2025

09/11/2025

**Filial Therapy Q & A: What Parents Want to Know**

Q: What exactly is filial therapy?
A: Filial therapy is a type of play therapy where parents are trained to use therapeutic play techniques to build stronger emotional bonds with their children. Instead of the therapist working directly with the child, parents learn how to become the child's primary source of support through special guided play sessions.

Q: Who can benefit from filial therapy?
A: It’s great for families with children aged roughly 2 to 12, especially if a child is struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or has experienced trauma or attachment difficulties. It works for all kinds of families—single parents, co-parents, and adoptive families alike.

Q: What does it involve for parents?
A: Parents usually commit to weekly sessions with a therapist for psychoeducation and training, plus weekly 30-minute play sessions with their child at home. It requires emotional availability and some practice but is designed to be manageable and flexible.

Q: How does filial therapy help children?
A: It provides children a safe space to express feelings, learn emotional regulation, and strengthen their relationship with their parent. Children often show improved behaviors and greater trust as parents become more attuned and responsive.

Q: Is filial therapy time-consuming or difficult?
A: While it requires consistency and emotional engagement, it’s designed to fit into busy family lives with manageable time commitments. The “play sessions” are enjoyable for both children and parents, turning therapy into quality bonding time rather than a chore.

Q: Why should I consider filial therapy for my family?
A: Many parents find it empowering because it gives them practical tools to support their child's emotional health directly. It's gentle but powerful, adaptable as children grow, and helps build lifelong healthy communication and attachment.

07/11/2025

The Power of Playtime Connection
Meet Sarah, a busy mom who felt distant from her 6-year-old son. She tried a simple filial therapy technique: dedicating 20 minutes of uninterrupted playtime every day where she followed his lead completely. Within weeks, Sarah noticed her son opening up emotionally, sharing thoughts and feelings he’d never said before. That daily playtime became their special bond—a safe space filled with laughter and understanding. Sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest difference in healing relationships. 💙

06/11/2025

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05/11/2025

🌿🌿 Did You Know?
There’s a special kind of therapy where you, the parent, become the most important part of your child’s healing journey. It’s called Filial Therapy 💛

Instead of focusing only on the child in therapy sessions, Filial Therapy teaches parents to use simple play-based techniques at home to strengthen connection, trust, and emotional understanding.

🎈 Through guided sessions, parents learn to:
✨ Listen to the feelings hidden behind behaviour
✨ Build confidence through play and empathy
✨ Help children manage big emotions
✨ Deepen their bond in a safe, joyful space

Children often feel calmer, more secure, and better understood — and parents discover a new sense of confidence in their role.

It’s not just therapy... it’s relationship enrichment in its most natural form 💕

🌼 If you’d like to learn more about how Filial Therapy can support your family, you’re welcome to reach out or send me a message.

31/01/2025

You need to read this:

"It's the start of a new year, isn't it, Piglet?" said Pooh, all excited.

"It certainly is," said Piglet.

"What are you hoping for, this year?" asked Pooh. "Are you going to try and achieve some goals or ambitions? Make lots of money? Better yourself?"

"Well," said Piglet. "The thing is, Pooh, is that I am a very simple soul at heart. And I may not be right, when I say this...but I have always felt that the most important thing in life - for me at least - is love. To love, and to be loved. So while Achieving Goals, and Making Money, and Bettering Yourself, might all be great things to dream of...I can't help feeling that, without love, they would be very empty dreams indeed."

"So your hopes for the next year is ..."

"For love," said Piglet, simply. "For love, and for a regular walk through the Hundred Acre Wood with my very best friend, kicking up the leaves and talking as though we haven't a care in the world."

"That sounds just perfect to me," said Pooh. "Shall we go?"
And so the two friends put on their boots and their waterproofs, and walked out into the Hundred Acre Wood, kicking up leaves and talking as though they hadn't a care in the world. ❤️❤️

30/01/2025

Feeling this right now...

22/10/2024

Join us if you are in the area. 📍
We are excited to be able to walk/run for such an amazing cause! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️💖
Please dress up in pink! (If you want to!)
A prize will be going to the best dressed. 🥳🥳
Contact me for more info. WhatsApp Carina 084 563 8334
Let's get more and more people to join! 🥳🥳

09/10/2024

Did you know that practicing gratitude can turn an ordinary moment into a happy occasion? 🍂
Instead of counting problems, count your blessings!
Every time you say “thank you,” the universe gives you more to be thankful for.
So, let’s sprinkle gratitude everywhere like it's confetti! 🎉