5. Building Community Connections: Enhancing a child’s sense of belonging can also be achieved by fostering connections with their families and communities. Play therapy can include sessions where family members participate in activities like cooking traditional meals together or engaging in cultural rituals. Connecting the child and their family with community resources, such as cultural festivals or support groups, can help build a support network and reinforce their sense of belonging within their cultural community.


Culturally Responsive Play Therapy Practices    proactive and informed approach to culturally responsive play therapy  an active effort to research and understand the child’s birth culture. By incorporating elements of the child’s cultural background into  stories—play therapists can create a more meaningful and supportive therapeutic experience. Ferrari and Rosnati (2013) found that while integrating ethnic and national identities is complex and varies among individuals, adopted children who received active support from their families in maintaining connections with their birth culture developed a more cohesive and positive sense of identity. Play therapy offers a valuable space for emotional healing and cultural empowerment by integrating these cultural elements. Adopted        particularly in navigating the complexities of their cultural identity. Play therapy provides a supportive environment where these children can process their adoption experiences and begin to heal emotionally. Incorporating culturally responsive practices helps therapists support internationally adopted children in reclaiming their cultural identity, fostering a greater sense of self-worth and belonging. As research continues to explore the interplay between adoption, cultural identity, and emotional healing, it is crucial for play therapists to remain sensitive to the diverse needs of adopted children to ensure effective and inclusive therapeutic interventions.


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Jiyoung Moon, LPC-S, NCC, RPT™, is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. With play therapy experience in both South Korea and the U.S., she values culturally sensitive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate approaches in clinical practice, education, and research. jmoon@stmarytx.edu


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