The Culturally Informed Play Therapist: Creating an Inviting Environment

The play therapist is responsible for providing an environment of inclusivity through their multicultural orientation and playroom. Presenters will share ways play therapists can intentionally take steps towards cultural humility and inclusivity in Play Therapy. In addition, presenters will offer steps and materials for best practices to ensure children of multiple intersectional identities feel a sense of safety and belonging in the playroom. Play therapists are called upon to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse child population. In addition to facilitation of multiculturally-inclusive play therapy through skills and approaches, play therapists are responsible for providing an environment of inclusivity – the playroom. Given that traditional child-centered play therapy literature (e.g., Axline, 1974; Cochran et al., 2010; Landreth, 2012; Ray, 2011; VanFleet et al., 2010) provides limited discussion of concrete steps to ensure cultural inclusivity for playroom structure and materials/toys, there is a need for play therapists to be more intentional in their selections for the playroom and their attitudes Based on recent research findings, this workshop provides an intensive exploration of ways play therapists can move towards cultural inclusivity (Ray et al., 2022). Presenters will offer a clear and detailed evidence-based description of a multicultural playroom, active behaviors for play therapists to ensure cultural inclusivity in their playrooms, and a list of toys/materials that are essential to a multicultural playroom. The goal of this workshop is for participants to reflect on their intentionality toward cultural inclusivity and the role of each selected toy/material.

Learning Objectives: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Define a multicultural playroom suitable to use for play therapy.
2. Describe a culturally informed play therapists that practices Play Therapy.
3. Identify 7 ways a play therapist can ensure the playroom used for play therapy is culturally inclusive.
4. Identify toys and materials that are culturally inclusive.
5. Identify toys and materials that are culturally questionable in the playroom

2 APT Live Webinar CE | Intermediate | Play Therapy Special Topics

This workshop meets APT's definition of "Live Webinar."

About our presenters:  Elizabeth V. Aguilar, MS, LPC Associate, NCC is a doctoral student at the University of North Texas, specializing in play therapy. As a counselor, Elizabeth has worked with clients across the lifespan within the school setting, university clinics, and non-profit setting in both English and Spanish. Elizabeth’s research interests are centered around multiculturalism, social justice, and advocacy in play therapy specifically for Latinx and Spanish-speaking clients, supervisees, and students. Elizabeth currently serves as an assistant director at the UNT Center for Play Therapy.

Krystal Turner, MA, LPCA, NCC hails from NC, where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is currently completing her PhD in Counseling and Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Krystal's education and career have largely been focused on play therapy with a multicultural lens, with hopes to continue serving as an advocate in the African American community through teaching, research, and clinical work.

NEAPT Members $40; Guests $50 | Limited to 50 participants

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual meeting. Participants will be awarded LIVE WEBINAR CE upon successful completion of a post test. Participants must be visible throughout the presentation. This workshop meets APT's definition of "Live Webinar."

NEAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 02-123. NEAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph (screen shot), video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote NEAPT.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than March 10, 2023. Cancellations are subject to a $15 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds or partial refunds after March 10, 2023.

By registering for this training, you are giving NEAPT permission to add your email to our email list and you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs or screenshots that are taken during the event containing your likeness for promotional purposes.