Creating An Inclusive And Culturally Competent Play Therapy Practice
$220.00
Training Date: June 15, 2026
Overview
Anti-oppressive practice, cultural competence, cultural humility and the integration of these in the provision of play therapy services is an essential element of working with culturally diverse children and families. The principals that inform this include a number of facets related to identity and experiences of relative power and privilege. One facet, and perhaps a starting place, is self-reflection: acknowledging privilege and the benefits that affords. Another facet is responsibility: taking responsibility for the historical injustices that have resulted from unearned privilege. A third facet is receptivity: seeking and remaining open to feedback from oppressed and marginalized groups and individuals about how to better understand and more sensitively respond to their experiences of oppression and marginalization, both historical and ongoing. And yet another facet is action: putting into action an ongoing process of reflection, responsibility and receptivity that supports a clinical response that is built on social justice principles and practices.
This one-day course will engage participants in: activities of self-reflection and sharing; didactic teaching and audio-visual material that explore historical and current social justice issues; group activities to support openness and discussion and practical suggestions about how to put this into action in the practice of play therapy.
Learning Outcomes:
- Define play therapy and the difference between play and play therapy
- Identify the value and therapeutic powers of play
- Identify the types of play and the differences in play exhibited by children who are struggling with life experiences and developmental disruptions.
- Cite the developmental stages of play.
- Identify how to set up a play room and how to select toys and materials to facilitate therapeutic growth.
- Identify how to set up a portable play therapy kit.
- Discuss how the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and structural racism impact Play Therapy practice.
Course Instructor: Stacy Darku
