When we think about creating accessible therapy spaces, ramps and doorway measurements often come to mind first. Yet for many people, the sensory environment plays an equally crucial role in accessing mental health support. Understanding and addressing sensory needs isn't just about comfort – it's about creating spaces where clients believe they can heal.

Research has frequently shown that disabled people experience disproportionately high rates of trauma in healthcare settings. While exact statistics vary across studies and disabilities, numerous researchers have documented patterns of medical trauma, healthcare avoidance, and healthcare-related distress among disabled populations. This trauma can manifest through repeated experiences of dismissal, discrimination, and denied accommodations within healthcare systems.

This intersection becomes even more critical when considering that many people seek therapy precisely because they're struggling to cope with the impact of inaccessible spaces, medical discrimination, and the constant burden of having to justify their needs. When providers fail to recognize this connection, they risk perpetuating the very trauma their clients are trying to heal from.