About Sand Tray Therapy

Sand tray therapy is a therapeutic intervention to create scenes of miniature worlds that reflect a person's inner thoughts, struggles, and concerns. The scene created acts as a reflection of the person's own life and allows them the opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of self. It also can provide a safe place for the client to experience control.

Sand tray therapy provides a needed and effective method of communication for a client who has difficulty expressing thoughts and emotions. When we are unable to effectively communicate needs, it can create a great level of frustration. In Sand tray therapy, expression of needs is not dependent upon words.

It's not uncommon to wonder how using miniature toys in the sand is helping resolve any issues. But sand tray therapy can provide therapists an inside look into things that may be troubling their clients. It's especially useful for people who have trouble communicating about stressors.

Clinician asks the client if they would like to tell them about their sad world.

“That’s me in the corner. I feel stuck in my thoughts because the fence keeps me there like a mirror is always there to remind me I shouldn’t be happy.

The ’ugly’ creatures are my thoughts that I don’t fit in, I’m not good enough, nobody understands me, and nobody wants to hang out with me.

I can see and hear all the people having fun and celebrating which makes me feel even more left out and not understood. They get to be happy because they are good enough and they do fit in, and I wish I was like them.”

Clinician asks the client if they would like to tell them about their happy world. 

“That’s me with all my friends and my partner on my birthday. They brought me flowers and that makes me feel special and loved. My birthday is in winter and it’s usually bad weather, but in my happy world we can be outside and have ice cream for my birthday. I’m happy when it’s warm and sunny and I can be in nature. 

I’m allergic to most animals, but I love them!  In my happy world I’m not allergic to animals, and I can ride horses, pet cats and play with dogs. I am also happy when I’m on vacation with my friends. We are headed to the beach with our pineapple drinks and shades!”

What Sand Tray Therapy Can Help With

Sand tray therapy has been shown to benefit the following issues:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Anger management

Anxiety disorders

Autism spectrum disorder

Depression

Divorce

Grief and loss

Low self-esteem

Physical and learning disabilities

School-related problems

Social issues

Trauma and crisis

DISCLAIMER

Willowcounseling2.com is meant to be for informational purposes only and should NOT be used as a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. Please always consult a trained mental health or health care professional before making decisions regarding treatment for yourself or others. Willow Counseling LLC cannot be held responsible for the use of the information provided.

The sole purpose of the Willow Counseling blog is to offer resources and information to those dealing with mental health issues. We cannot, and will not, assume the role of your physician or therapist.

If you or someone you know are experiencing an emotional crisis, please contact the National Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately if you are experiencing a physical or mental health emergency.