Sandplay therapy was developed in the late 1950s by psychologist Dora Kalff and Margaret Lowenfeld who developed the approach by building on Carl Jung’s psychological framework.
This powerful therapeutic technique involves a sandbox, called a sandtray, and a large collection of figurines. Clients arrange the figurines in the sandtray to create scenes of miniature worlds that reflect their inner
thoughts, struggles, and concerns. This process brings subconscious conflicts to consciousness. It is often said that sandplay therapy provides a “free and protected space” for exploration and healing. Sand tray therapy aims to provide emotional release, self-reflection, and realization.
Materials include a sand tray, typically with a blue interior, along with water and miniature objects. These figures often include humans, fantasy figures like wizards, animals, trees, vegetation, and other objects in nature; vehicles, household items, signs and spiritual objects
What does sand play therapy treat?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of sand tray therapy in treating various challenges and health conditions. People who have experienced significant physical and emotional distress from different forms of trauma, abuse, neglect, cancer or danger may benefit from sand tray therapy.
While couples, children, families, and groups may all use this approach, a person typically engages in sand tray therapy one-on-one with a therapist. People of all ages may participate in sand tray therapy.
It is well suited for children and adults who cannot verbalize their emotional states. People who have experienced sexual abuse and opt to remain silent for fear of harm can also find a safe space in sand tray therapy. It can also be useful for those who have challenges with:
- aggression
- anger management
- social interaction
- school or work
- grief
- low self-esteem
- depression
- anxiety
- physical and learning disabilities
- sexual trauma
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- autism
- relational and family challenges
What are the benefits of sand play therapy:
The free, non structured and protective space of sand therapy offers a way for people to heal through the therapeutic process.
It creates a safe environment that allows people to release their feelings, conflicts, and emotions and bring unconscious fears, thoughts, and memories into their conscious awareness.
Through sandplay therapy, a person can return to past experiences in a safe and contained environment and become an active agent in the experience.
Through the therapeutic process, this type of therapy can improve a person’s resilience, self-esteem and even decision making skills.
Sandtray Therapy VS. Sandplay Therapy:
Both use sand and miniature objects to help achieve a fuller and deeper picture of a person’s world. Both offer a safe space and provide a healing process. Both stress the importance of being in tune with a person and allowing them to express themselves freely.
Sandplay therapy follows a Jungian approach and also has influences from Zen and Tibetan Buddhism. A therapist delays interpretation of the sand play and instead focuses on the person’s unconscious and nonverbal understanding of the images they create. Therapists can delay the interpretation for months to years.
Sandtray therapy is open to adding in different theoretical orientations but mainly uses a humanistic approach. It focuses on the here and now and the experience of the moment. The therapist may be more active in co-creating different scenes in the sand, as it is more hands on than sandplay therapy.
