(HS Adelakun, Donovan 150719 2026) Playing with Cultural Intention: Creating Inclusive, Ethical, and Responsive Play Thera...

Course overview

Play is universal--but its meaning, expression, and interpretation are deeply shaped by culture. For play therapists, cultural awareness isn't optional; it's essential for building trust, honoring identity, and ensuring ethical practice. This experiential workshop invites you to examine how your own cultural lens influences the playroom and how power, privilege, and bias can impact the play therapeutic interactions. This experiential workshop invites you to examine how your own cultural lens influences the playroom and how power, privilege, and bias can impact the play therapeutic interactions. You'll also explore ways to collaborate with families and access resources that strengthen cultural integrity and therapeutic safety as you utilize play. Leave with tools to create play therapy spaces where every child feels seen, valued, and understood Recognize how your cultural identify shapes play therapy interactions and decision-making Identify implicit bias and moments of cultural disconnection in the play therapy room Select toys and materials that reflect diverse identities and cultural narratives found in play therapy Collaborate with families to maintain cultural integrity and therapeutic safety