Accessibility and Play Therapy: Making Play Therapy Accessible for Children with Physical Disabilities

Play therapy provides children with a safe space to express themselves using their most natural form of communication, play (Landreth, 2024). Children use play as a way to express themselves more readily through the use of toys and figures (Landreth, 2024). Play therapists strive to create a welcoming and safe environment where children can heal. Children and individuals with physical disabilities face discrimination, physical barriers, and stigma and may struggle to feel accepted by others (Barg et al., 2010). Due to this, their mental health may be negatively impacted. Play therapy helps children learn to respect and accept themselves for who they are (Landreth, 2024). Given that children with physical disabilities are often judged and defined by their disability, the support, genuine connection, and unconditional positive regard provided by the play therapist can be empowering. Play therapy provides children with a space to be creative and resourceful when problem solving (Landreth, 2024). This can allow children with physical disabilities to explore coping strategies and problem-solving skills in a safe environment.