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.
Sandplay therapy is a non-verbal, expressive therapeutic method developed by Swiss Jungian analyst Dora Kalff drawing from the work of Carl Jung, Margaret Lowenfeld, and Tibetan & Zen Buddhism. Jung, whose work provides the foundation for sandplay therapy, understood almost a hundred years ago that the mind and body were inextricably linked. In sandplay, this link is seen again and again in both the symbolic activity of the psyche and the embodied experience of healing and change.
— Jill Corvelli, Licensed Professional Counselor in Portland, ORI took a semester long class dedicated to sandtray therapy and continue my education in sandtray therapy by attending and presenting at local sandtray trainings and conferences. I have served as a board member for Austin SandTray Association for 3+ years and am a co-founder of the Texas SandTray Association. I currently serve as Executive Director and Treasurer for the Trxas SandTray Association.
— Lacey Fisher, Licensed Professional Counselor in Austin, TXI have been using sand tray therapy successfully with clients on a regular basis since 2017 and have an extensive collection of miniatures for use in the sand tray. I receive supervision for my sand tray work from my supervisor, who also uses a sand tray in her work.
— Lauren Krzyzaniak, Licensed Professional Counselor in Saginaw, MIThe Sandtray provides a safe, contained space to express and explore your inner world in a tangible way. The tray can be used with or without a prompt. Sometimes, the tray can help communicate or illustrate something words cannot. The scenes created with a tray can help clients experience emotional release, gain new realizations, and practice out fictitious change leading to real change in their life. I utilize sandtray therapy on its own as well as in conjunction with parts work and EMDR.
— Jasmine Hiland, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist in Nashville, TNI 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 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, ARI have experienced and training in Sandplay, Sandtray and SandStory(r) Therapy. I use my sandtray and sandstory symbols with both children and adults.
— Maggie Yowell Wilson, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Renton, WALike play therapy, sand tray is a fantastic way to get to the root of some issues without always having to come up with the words to explain it. It allows our brains to access the deeper parts to begin to heal itself.
— Evan Woodall, Counselor in Heath, TXI love using Sandtray when working with teenagers and adults. It is a great way to access other parts of our brains and integrating them. I am a Registered Integrative Sandtray Therapist through Southern Sandtray Institute.
— Jamie English, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Grand Prairie, TX