Repairs might have to be offered to those have been excluded from consideration in the profession. And these repairs may not be received until trust is built. When a person, even us therapists, has experienced multiple moments of feeling unknown, a necessary self- protection can build up of holding a belief that ableism will never be To replace that survival instinct of dismantled hope with someone’s offer of repair can feel incredibly risky and might require multiple moments of consensual courage for both parties.
I know there could be expectations that I use this space to encourage you toward this work by making you feel better about the beauty of However, there is some encouragement available and here it goes: the work toward self-examination may be painful, but it is worth it. It is the right course and both individual play therapists and the More children will be able to see themselves in their mental health providers and our community will be better equipped to advocate for the needs of children.
How Does Addressing Ableism Relate to Growing the Play Therapy Community?
Before we can successfully increase the number of disabled people in play therapy, we have to get more disabled people in the transportation needs, accessibility devices, etc. are part of the added everyday costs of having to navigate a world that didn’t consider you in its design. We know that higher education is expensive in the best with disabilities to move through the requirements to do the same
education environment, and then in gainful mental health employment, there have to be safe avenues for disabled folks to offer consequence-
free feedback about their experiences and needs. The truth is that and abled clients will be able to see the strengths that disabled healers offer. They will be able to internalize a sense of possibility that can rise to meet any of their own present and future health challenges. They can feel the power that comes from celebrating all types of bodies and minds.
Closing Thoughts and Takeaway Contemplations Play therapy is a powerful practice with much to offer a hurting more avenues for inclusivity. Action should follow contemplation. It is possible to honor the differences disabled therapists represent without tokenizing or misusing. Here are some closing questions to within your professional circles.
12 | PLAYTHERAPY December 2023 |
www.a4pt.org
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