Strengthening the Parent-Child Bond Through Play

Children want to feel understood, accepted, and connected with the people who matter most. Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is a structured, evidence-based program based on the pioneering work of Dr. Garry Landreth that teaches parents and caregivers how to strengthen their relationship with their child through therapeutic play. Through practical, research-supported skills, parents learn to deepen emotional connection, improve communication, and respond more effectively to behavioral and emotional challenges.

Whether your child is experiencing anxiety, emotional outbursts, behavioral difficulties, or simply needs a stronger sense of connection, CPRT offers tools that can support lasting positive change.

What Is Child-Parent Relationship Therapy?

CPRT is a parent/caregiver training model that adapts the basic principles of child-centered play therapy for use at home. CPRT is supported by decades of research demonstrating its effectiveness across a wide range of populations and emotional or behavioral concerns. Rather than "fixing" a child's behavior, CPRT strengthens the parent-child relationship, creating the foundation for healthy emotional development.

During the program, parents learn how to conduct 30-minute special play sessions with their child each week while developing therapeutic communication skills that can be applied in everyday life.

Many parents initially worry they won't "do it right." That's completely normal, and the skills become more natural with practice. The goal is not perfect parenting— it’s creating a relationship where children feel safe, understood, respected, and emotionally connected.

Benefits of CPRT

Parents who participate in the program often report:

• Stronger parent-child attachment

• Greater emotional connection with their child

• Improved communication and understanding

• Increased confidence in their parenting

• Reduced power struggles and conflict

• Increased empathy and patience

Children may experience:

• Improved emotional regulation

• Healthier expression of emotions

• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem

• Better problem-solving skills

• Reduced anxiety and stress

• Stronger trust in their caregiver

Why Play?

Play is a child's natural language. Through play, children express feelings, work through experiences, and explore their world in ways they often can't put into words. When parents slow down, follow their child's lead, and respond with empathy and acceptance, they create moments where their child feels truly seen and understood. Those moments of connection can strengthen trust, support emotional growth, and often lead to more positive interactions long after the play session has ended.

What to Expect

The program consists of 10 weekly sessions that combine education, discussion, skill-building, and guided practice. Each week introduces new skills that parents discuss, practice, and apply at home, including recognizing the needs behind behavior, using encouragement effectively, and setting calm, consistent limits.

Sessions 1-3: Parents learn and practice CPRT skills that they will begin using during weekly 30-minute play sessions with their child starting in Week 4. If more than one parent/caregiver is participating in CPRT, each person may have separate weekly play sessions with the same child, alternate weeks, or conduct play sessions with a different child.

Sessions 4-9: Parents share their experience and video recording of the weekly play session for discussion and supportive feedback. New skills will be introduced each session.

Session 10: Discussion of behavioral changes observed in the child, changes observed in the parents/caregivers, and overall experience of CPRT.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I attend with my child?

No, our sessions are designed to be a learning environment for parents or caregivers. Parents then practice the CPRT skills at home during the scheduled special play sessions with their child.

How long are the play sessions?

Parents are encouraged to conduct one dedicated 30-minute play session each week using the CPRT techniques learned during the program.

Can both parents participate?

Yes. Whenever possible, both parents or caregivers are encouraged to participate so they can learn and apply the same skills consistently. Each person may have separate weekly play sessions with the same child, alternate weeks, or conduct play sessions with a different child.