The multicultural play therapy room: Intentional decision making in selecting play therapy toys and materials.

Abstract

With the increased cultural diversity among the child population in the United States, play therapists are obligated to ensure cultural inclusivity in their clinical practice and attune to their diverse clientele. A crucial aspect of culturally inclusive play therapy is the construction of an inclusive and therapeutic environment—the multicultural play therapy room. The multicultural play therapy room is an environment that invites cultural exploration and expression for all children. We conducted a recent Delphi study that resulted in a clear definition of what constitutes a multicultural environment in play therapy, specifically a culturally inclusive playroom (Ray et al., 2022). Further results from the study provided reflection and rationale for decision making regarding materials for a multicultural play therapy room. The purpose of this article is to provide play therapists with a list of materials that represent a culturally inclusive playroom based on research. Furthermore, we provide a rationale for decision making when seeking to ensure the cultural inclusivity of a play therapy room.