below, additional works focusing on cultural humility and identity include Cultural Issues in Play Therapy and Black Students Matter: Play Therapy Techniques to Support Black Students Experiencing Racial Trauma
Culturally Inclusive Play Materials The selection of play therapy materials is a critical component of culturally responsive practice. Suppliers such as Kennedy’s identities and experiences.
Therapists are encouraged to intentionally include materials that represent diverse racial, cultural, and family identities, as well as varying abilities. The inclusion of such materials supports children in expressing their lived experiences and fosters a sense of belonging
as journaling, cultural genograms, and consultation with supervisors or peers can support clinicians in identifying biases and enhancing and training led by clinicians from diverse backgrounds further strengthens culturally responsive practice.
Conclusion
As the United States continues to diversify, the need for culturally responsive play therapy becomes increasingly critical. Cultural humility provides a framework for therapists to engage in lifelong diverse children and families.
By integrating culturally responsive practices, addressing systemic inequities, and promoting inclusivity, play therapists can foster meaningful therapeutic relationships and support positive outcomes for multicultural populations. Play therapists are called not only to develop awareness, but to actively integrate cultural humility into every aspect of clinical decision-making, from assessment through termination, in order to provide ethical, equitable care.
References ACA code of ethics. https://
www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document- Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.
https://www.apa.org/ethics/code Best practices: Clinical, professional, and ethical issues.
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.
lack students matter: Play therapy techniques to support Black students experiencing racial trauma. Oxford University Press.
Cultural issues in play therapy Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., Owen, J., Worthington, E. L., Jr., & Utsey, S. O. clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60 Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.
https://www.socialworkers. org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English Ratts, M. J., Singh, A. A., Nassar McMillan, S., Butler, S. K., & Counseling Competencies: Guidelines for the Counseling Profession. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 44
Multicultural play therapy: Making the most of cultural opportunities with children. Routledge.
and social justice counseling competencies to decolonize counseling practice: The important roles of theory, power, and action. Journal of Counseling & Development, 98 Foundations of multicultural psychology: Research to inform effective practice Psychological Association.
Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice
training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 9
Demographic turning points for the United States: Population projections for 2020 to 2060. https://www. Zhang, H., Watkins, C. E., Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Davis, C. W., Norton, J., Wilcox, M. M., Davis, D. E., DeBlaere, C., & Owen, J. A research review. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 22
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kadesha Adelakun, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™, children, families, and individuals. Founder of The Journey Counseling Services in Kennesaw, GA, she serves as Vice President of the Georgia Association for Play Therapy, sits on several APT committees, is an author, international speaker, and recipient of APT’s 2023 Service Award.
info@journeycounselingllc.com
www.a4pt.org | June 2026 | PLAYTHERAPY | 19
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