Introduction to Sand Tray By Naveen Jonathan Ph

Introduction to Sand Tray By Naveen Jonathan, Ph. D. , LMFT Friday, August 1, 2014

“Play is a natural medium of communication. ” -Garry Landreth

Connection Between Play and Sand Therapy (Brown & Vaughn, 2009) �Play is done for its own sake – it may even seem purposeless. �Play is voluntary. �Play has an inherent attraction. �Play involves a freedom from time. �Play helps diminish the consciousness of self. �Play has an improvisational potential. �Play develops a continuation desire.

“Family therapists and play therapists share a noble trait: The are by far the most creative and dynamic therapists in existence. ” - Eliana Gil

Background �Common Names �Expressive Therapy �Jungian Base �Archetypal Images – Connecting Inner + Outer Worlds �Humanistic Base �Safe Container �Developed: �Margaret Lowenfield (Developer of World Technique) �Dora Kalff (Developer of Sandplay Therapy)

“I set myself as a goal to work out an apparatus which would put into the child’s hand a means of directly expressing his ideas and emotions, one which would allow of the recording of his creations and of abstracting them for study. ” - Margaret Lowenfield

Objective �Creation of a Microcosm �Reflection of One’s Life �Gives Access to the Inaccessible �Opportunity to Resolve Conflicts �Remove Obstacles �Connect to One’s Inner Being �Recognize the Beauty of One’s Soul �Acceptance of One’s Self

“Often the hands know how to solve a riddle with which the intellect has wrestled in vain. ” - Carl Jung

Materials Needed �Sand �Rationale �Sandtray �Importance of �Miniatures �Selection of �Categories: � People, Animals, Buildings, Transportation, Vegetation, Fences/Gates/Signs, Natural Items, Fantasy, Spiritual. Mystical, Landscaping, Household Items, Misc. Items �Arrangement of

“The client’s ability to generate an interpersonal system with the sand her chose symbols. . . Creating new representations of comfort and release in a visceral rather than cognitive way. ” - Bonnie Badenoch

Basic Guidelines �Client Types �Myths �When is a good time? �Relationship �Stance of Therapist �Witness or Facilitator �“Free and Protected” Space �Stance of the Client �Builder

“Let the Figure Pick You. ” - Dora Kalff

Forms of Sandtray – World Technique (Experiential/Jungian) �Most Common/Popular �The use of miniatures �Client’s Primary Tools: Imagination and Subconscious �Avenue into the inner world �Therapist’s Primary Tools: Symbolism and Metaphor �Connections within one’s subconscious and conscious Worlds.

“Learn your theories as well as you can, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul. ” - Carl Jung

Forms of Sandtray – Humanistic/Person-Centered �Free space �Clients are in charge. �All about creative expression �Clients find solutions to problems = Healing Technique �Empowerment of the client

“In an emotion sense therapist “enters” the sandtray with the client and participates empathically in the act of creation. ” - Estelle Weinrib

Planning for a Session � 1). Set Up � 2). Introduction of the Sandtray & Miniatures �Nondirective �Directive � 3). The Creation � 4). Postcreation Phase � 5). Sandtray Cleanup � 6). Documenting the Sandtray

“To destroy a picture in the client’s presence would be to devalue a completed creation, to break the connection between the client and his/her inner self, and the unspoken connection to therapist and their world. ” - Estelle Weinrib

Research �Children �Experiencing Trauma, Neglect Abuse � Shown to aid in vocalization of issues. � Provides comfort and security. � Develop own expressions to situations. � Behavior changes through this model. �Adults �Trauma, Painful Situations, Difficult to Express Situations � Move away from adult cognitive brain � Creates a sense of freedom � Allows to present honest self � Gives possibility of looking past problem to new possibilities.

“Not infrequently clients report that they consciously carry the image of the sand tray in their minds. They may focus on and reexperience some part of a picture they have made, or change it, or they make imaginary new pictures when they often then create in reality at the next opportunity. ” - Estelle Weinrib

Resources �The Sand Tray Network (http: //www. sandtray. org) �Sandplay Therapists of America (http: //www. sandplay. org) �Sandtherapy: A Practical Manual (2011) By Linda E. Homeyer& Daniel S. Sweeney, Routledge Publishers.