Fathers and Sons:
Dyadic Therapeutic Processes Based on Attachment Theory According To the Principles of the Theraplay Approach

The challenge of residential care is getting fathers involved in their child`s life. This challenge led to the establishment of the group ‘Fathers and sons on the field.’ SettingThe project takes place once a week, beginning with a joint training session and ending in a discussion with the fathers, after the children leave. ProcessThe group embraces the Theraplay approach, which aims to create an immediate ‘parent-child attachment’ experience. This approach is achieved based on the following principles: Nurture – How a parent empathizes with their child`s needs and adjusts their response. During training, emphasis is placed on the father`s need to be attentive to his son`s needs. Structure - The training focuses on a dyad between the father and son, emphasizing the father’s lead position. Engagement - The father transfers a message to his son: “I am aware of your diverse reactions". This is the primary element of the process - the father’s attention to his son. Challenge - Existence of physical activity that employs the child`s strengths and challenges him. The post-discussion allows the fathers to bring up the challenges that surfaced during the training. Parental abilities are highlighted by using the four theraplay aspects.