Sandplay Therapy
Sandplay therapy, is an experiential therapeutic approach where clients build their own world using miniature toys or figurines and colored sand. A sandplay-trained therapist will view the client’s scene as a reflection of their life, thoughts, feelings and concerns, and help him or her to interpret the sand tray as an opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of self. Sandplay therapy is often used to address trauma or abuse and can be particularly useful for clients (both adults and children) who have trouble expressing themselves verbally. A sandplay therapist's office is equipped with a specially proportioned sand tray and allows clients to express themselves in a safe and supportive space. Think this approach might be right for you? Reach out to one of TherapyDen’s sandplay therapy experts today.
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Sand tray therapy provides the client with a method of exploring their world along with their fears and states of regulation without having to talk about themselves with the therapist. The therapist explores the sand tray creation with the client and looks at potential correlations to life experiences. Sand tray therapist is a non-evasive method of exploring past trauma and current life struggles. The client is welcome to share as much or as little as they are comfortable with the therapist.
— Larry Colby, Licensed Professional Counselor in FREDERICKSBURG, VAI have attended workshops on Sand Tray and have used it extensively in my work with children (4-13) and high school students. I have noticed that it unlocks many ideas, thoughts, and behaviors so we can work more deeply.
— Margaret (Peggy) Farrell, Marriage & Family Therapist in San Mateo, CA
Michele is in the process of completing her Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential. Michele also enjoys utilizing expressive interventions, such as sand tray and art.
— Michele Munday, Licensed Professional Counselor in LEWES, DEI am a Registered Integrative Sandtray Therapist. During my play therapy certification training, I fell in love with Sandtray therapy & knew I would continue on this journey. I use it when working with adults to help them connect words (the left brain) to the their memories & emotions (the right). As someone who has personally experienced the power of sandtray, I am equally amazed when I see how it transforms my clients.
— Monique Randle, Clinical Social Worker in North Little Rock, AR
I have sought out specialized training and supervision in sand tray therapy. This is a modality that is appropriate for both children and adults. It consists of utilizing a specially proportioned tray of sand and a variety of figures. Clients are able to create a "world" in the tray with the figures. This technique allows clients to access feelings, perceptions and experiences which may be outside of their everyday awareness. When these become illustrated in the tray, processing can begin.
— Sarah Stein-Wolf, in Greenville, NCI am a Certified Sand Tray Therapist and enjoy utilizing sand tray for many topics my clients bring to therapy. "Is that just for kids?" No! It's great for children who cannot completely communicate their thoughts and feelings yet and because children learn and express through play. However, in my experience it is even more beneficial for adults because they are able to be more insightful about their tray. Sand tray is excellent for anyone who doesn't want to only do traditional talk therapy.
— Kimberly Fann, Mental Health Counselor in Oviedo, FL
Sandplay therapy is not only for children; adults can benefit from it too. When we use too much intellectual function to survive, a safe and protected space for an individual to freely be themselves, to be relaxed and playful, and to meet their inner world symbolically can be so helpful!
— Meng-Ju (MJ) Yang, Psychologist in San Jose, CA