Often when people have a history of trauma, the coping skills that function to help them survive become a barrier to healing. Some of the common defenses that hinder the process of healing in adults are intellectualization, rationalization, projection, somatization and even dissociation. With Children, trauma or stress may present as impulsivity, hyperactivity, poor social skills and poor school performance. Sand Play Therapy allows the client to tap into the psyche and the body. Through the use of symbolic figures, a person is able to create stories in the sand that examine their wounds, the effects from these wounds, and the possibilities for resolution. The clinician is then able to help a person connect insights to emotions and body sensations and begin the journey towards healing. Through Sand Play Therapy, the adult client is able to build the skills necessary to avoid problematic patterns of the past. Sand Play Therapy also allows children’s thoughts and feelings to be given a voice through symbolic play, enabling them to resolve their issues in a language they understand.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the tools required for Sand Play Therapy.
- Learn the principles of building a sand world.
- Learn rationale for using Sand Play with clients of all ages.