Sand Tray Therapy

Sand tray therapy allows individuals to build their world using miniatures and sand. This experiential technique is helpful for all ages to visualize aspects of their current situation they may not have considered otherwise.

Sand tray therapy is a therapeutic modality that utilizes a tray filled with sand and a collection of miniature objects to create a visual representation of an individual's inner world. This powerful and non-verbal approach allows clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and symbolic way. It allows for a more experimental and symbolic form of communication offering a different perspective and facilitating self-discovery.

The Sandtray translates personal experiences into a concrete, three dimensional form. Through the use of figures and objects, whether they take humanistic, animalistic or some imaginative form, one can accurately represent aspects of their lives in such a clear, expressive and symbolic manner without using words which might be difficult or painful to share. A client also has the unique opportunity to physically and organically work out such emotions through the natural qualities of the sand.

I utilize Sand Tray Therapy as an expressive technique and intervention to tap into the non-verbal, emotional and creative side of the brain. Clients use a variety of miniatures placed in a sand tray to symbolically identify and work through thoughts, feelings, behaviors, conflicts and struggles. Most people are able to gain new perspectives and insights that are quite meaningful for them.

Sand Tray Therapy is a modality that uses sand and miniature figures or objects to create scenes, symbols and narratives to help represent the client's inner world, emotions, experiences and relationships. This non-verbal approach helps clients process experiences or painful memories that are too difficult to talk about. Integrating mind and body, this tool is a sensory experience that can enhance self-regulation where clients can feel at ease exploring narratives and externalize feelings.

I use Sand Tray to unlock emotions and traumas in kids, teens, and adults. If you go to my website, peggylmft.com, you will see a small part of my Sand Tray figures collection.

Certified Sand Tray Therapist

In sandtray therapy we make use of objects that can help us externalize what is going on inside. What this looks like is a small box of sand placed in front of you. At the very minimum, you can run your hands through it- touching and playing with sand can calm your nervous system and help you open up more. If you'd like, there are also miniature figurines that you can select and place in the sand to tell your story. It may sound odd at first, but I promise it is an amazing addition to therapy.

I love using sandtray-it's so cool! Sandtray Therapy uses sand, water, and miniature figurines. The client builds a symbolic version of the world using the elements, and I observe from a place of respectful curiosity. The sand is a sacred space for the client to create their stories or express their feeling and thoughts without talking. It can be very powerful and transformative. Due to its nature, it's used a lot with children, but it is just as effective with teens and adults.