Sandplay Therapy
Sandplay therapy supports the natural healing of your mind. A sandplay therapist helps you create a safe and secure space, in which you use water, sand and miniature objects to bridge the gap between your “perceived” world and your actual world. Sandplay therapy utilizes symbolic objects to help you resolve issues. It also provides you with a way to freely express your feelings and beliefs within the confines of the sand-filled tray. This therapeutic approach is most effective when it is used in conjunction with psychotherapy.
What is Sandplay Therapy?
Dora Kalff, a Swiss psychologist, created sandplay as a way to give children and adults a non-verbal way to describe their emotions and experiences. Sandplay therapy helps balance the commotion of everyday life with the quietness of another world that symbolizes your hopes, dreams, fears and anxieties. When sandplay therapy is performed correctly, it leads to self-actualization and an improved state of mental health.
During a sandplay therapy session, your therapist gives you a sand tray and miniature objects. He/she then asks you to create a world of your choosing by arranging the various objects in the sand tray. The purpose of sandplay therapy is to gain a deeper understanding on why you feel and behave the way that you do.
This approach to therapy gives you an opportunity to confront your fears in a supportive, safe and open-minded environment. Your sand tray is utilized as a catalyst for self-healing. In some cases, your therapist may prescribe sandplay activities at home. If this is the case, you will complete the project(s) at home and then bring them to the next session.
Is Sandplay Therapy Just for Children?
No, both adults and children can benefit from sandplay therapy. This type of therapy is especially valuable for children because it is natural for them to express their feelings and view of the world through play. Sandplay therapy is beneficial for adults because it helps them take an in-depth look at themselves, acknowledge and confront their hopes, dreams, fears, demons and insecurities.
What Happens During a Sandplay Therapy Session?
Sandplay therapy involves water, a sand tray and tiny, symbolic objects. The objects may represent houses, people, cars, furniture, dolls, schools, animals and/or equipment. Once your therapist has given you the materials, he/she gives you the space and quietness that you need to begin the creation process.
It is important that you not overthink the placement of the objects. Place the objects in the tray where you think they should go. There is no judgment associated with the placement of the objects. As you create your world, allow your mind to take over and guide you through the process. Your therapist will more than likely remain a quiet observer as you create. He/she will not want to disrupt the “creative” process. While sandplay is primarily considered a non-verbal therapeutic technique, it is ok to verbalize your feelings during the creation process.
Once you have created your world, you may be asked to discuss your creation. Please note that analyses and/or thoughts concerning the sand creations are not broached until after you have completed multiple trays. It is also important that you not be hindered with thoughts of how your therapist perceives your project(s).
Once the session has ended, you therapist photographs your project and stores it with previous sandplay creations. When you have completed multiple projects and you appear to have a good grasp on the underlying issues that plague you, your therapist may suggest that you interpret the meanings behind your various “worlds.” Your sandplay creations will not only provide you with personal insight and self-awareness, it will also help restore your mental well-being and strengthen your conflict resolution skills.
How Does Sandplay Therapy Approach Psychological Issues?
Sandplay therapy approaches psychological issues by focusing on your mind’s ability to heal itself from trauma and resolve psychological issues on a deeper level. According to sandplay therapists, your mind is able to heal itself from mental trauma and distress, similar to how your body physically heals itself from injury. These therapists believe that your mind can actively heal itself through the use of the symbolic miniature objects. Furthermore, sandplay therapists believe that sandplay is an effective way to explore your inner world and express unspoken feelings and beliefs.
References:
Friedman, H.S., & Mitchell, R.R. (2008). Supervision of sandplay therapy. London: Routledge.
Kalff, D. M. (2004). A psychotherapeutic approach to the psyche. Cloverdale, CA: Temenos Press.
