I don't have any academic knowledge about sand tray - I have not read anything but I CAN share with you my experience.

When my T first suggested sand tray, I told her I didn't want to do it nor did I know HOW to do it. She has the whole set-up in her office - the table and walls of shelves filled with tiny figurines - fantasy figures, real life figures, animals, structures like bridges, houses, etc

She said there wasn't anything to 'know' about it. Just look at the wall of figurines and if any 'spoke' to me, to select it and put it on table. Well, first of all I didn't know what 'spoke to me' meant. But I guess if I 'noticed' a figure more than another.

Then when I felt I was done selecting, then I would look at figurines on table and arrange them. And that part of exercise was completely fascinating. When done with sand tray, my T takes a photo and puts in my file. Also when done, she asks what the arrangement means to me.

When I first began I noticed that I was thinking too much. And that's the idea behind sand tray, I think. To NOT think and just go with the gut. I suspect it might be similar to art therapy or anything that helps us get out of our heads and into our bodies and emotions.

Well, long story short - it was amazing. I had been skeptical be cause I am very analytical and to me 'playing' with 'toys' just didn't make sense. But, I can tell you from my own personal experience that it is magical. I was able to gain some very deep insights by doing sand tray.