[Syra]

I'm curious to know more about this. It sounds very interesting.

What might be the best book to read to learn more?
Is it something you can bring to therapy if your therapist isn't familiar with it?
Any tips, hints, or stories about how it does and doesn't work.

Thanks.

[harrietm]

I'm curious too. My t just moved to a new office and she has a sand table and lots and lots of little figures and little trees and houses, etc. I'm afraid to do it, I don't know how. I'd like to just play in the sand though.

[stopdog]

I think Artemis has done sand stuff. I don't understand it, but I recall reading about people liking it.

[skysblue]

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.

[Syra]

Originally Posted by skysblue

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.

It sounds very cool. How big does the tray have to be? I had a picture of a lap tray?
I probably should just wait until my Sand Tray Therapy book arrives (orderd it this morning), but I'm impatient.

[skysblue]

Originally Posted by Syra

It sounds very cool. How big does the tray have to be? I had a picture of a lap tray?
I probably should just wait until my Sand Tray Therapy book arrives (orderd it this morning), but I'm impatient.

It's a table filled with a layer of sand with painted blue bottom - that is seen if you push some of the sand away. I'd guess it's about 2' x 3'. Not a lap tray but maybe some are done that way, idk.

[EllieBear]

I've done sand tray in all different types of trays with all different types of sand. It really is magical. When I'm stuck, it gets me unstuck. When I can't verbalize something, I can put it in the tray instead. It really does work best if you don't overthink it and just go with wherever your mind goes. I used to feel a little silly, but now I choose to go to the sand tray often. When I sit down and arrange the figures, I usually have no idea what I'm really showing, so I usually leave amazed at how much I did. It's deep work. I have done it with therapists who are highly trained, but I've also done it with some who aren't. Ask your therapist if your interested. I think a lot of them know something about sand tray and it really is awesome if you are willing to go there.

[Willowleaf]

I've done sand tray work myself and I have done it with children and I think Ellie and Skysblue have described it wonderfully. For me the thing is not to over think it. Just go with it and it may be that what you make means nothing to you but later you may notice something about it or themes that emerge in several trays. Children really make the most of it and although some take a while to have the confidence to use it once they do they don't tend to worry about reading into things, they just play. It is an amazing healing tool for the mind. The subconscious tends to do its stuff whether you want it to or not.

[Syra]

Thanks everyone. When I went to amazon I could find books, but I couldn't find the tray itself. I suppose any 2 x 3 or so container would work? Maybe even a box I could carry around?

[Willowleaf]

I know people that have used cheap cat little trays when space was of an issue. The trays cost around £100 but loads of people make them themselves or get a friend to help. The main thing seems to be that it is waterproof. Blue on the bottom is ideal if you can.

[Syra]

Originally Posted by Willowleaf

I know people that have used cheap cat little trays when space was of an issue. The trays cost around £100 but loads of people make them themselves or get a friend to help. The main thing seems to be that it is waterproof. Blue on the bottom is ideal if you can.

I have blue paint.

Why does it need to be waterproof?

A kitty litter box sounds very doable. Maybe even a container used to transport the kitty in the car and I can store another small box of "figures" to use in the sandbox.

[Willowleaf]

Waterproof as clients should have the option of adding water. A wet sand tray is a whole different experience than a dry one. A lot of sand tray therapists have two, wet and dry. As for a small box for figures, once you start collecting miniatures most find it very addictive and even my basic kit has about 6 boxes worth which I add to all the time. A proper sand tray therapist will have shelves and shelves worth. I love how they look at set out. It seems full of endless possibilities and the child in me gets really excited.

I've done sand trays quite a bit with my t! I love it! My t is certified in sandplay therapy, you can read quite a bit about it at Sandplay Therapists of America (sandplay.org) Basically the t has a sandbox on a tabletop it's got a blue waterproof inside so you can mix water with the sand, actually my t has two boxes, one is for dry sand and one is for sand that can be wet. she has 2 big bookshelves FULL of little miniatures of every sort, animals, people, caves, trees, rocks, etc etc anything you can think of is in those shelves. What you do is pick out items that call to you and you create a "world" in the sand, the first time I did it I felt sorta silly and basically just made swirls in the sand giggling self-consciously. But I quickly warmed up to it. The t stands by quietly watching. Usually quietly, LOL sometimes my t would comment before she could stop herself but then this is just the kind of relationship we have. I don't get to do sandplay with her anymore since she moved out of state and we just do phone sessions now. But I made my own, bought a cheap litter box and put sand in it, and I'm slowly building a small collection of miniatures to use in it. It's very relaxing I think, and I really really enjoyed doing them. At some point it just "feels" done, and then you step back and look at it with your t and talk about it. My t took pictures too for my file. It was always very interesting to talk about them and analyze them together, in fact one of my favorite sand trays has now become a frequently-visited place in my Active Imaginations. I hope you get the chance to do sand play Syra! Give it a chance, like I said, I felt really silly the first couple times. But then it started to be fun and I would at times be skipping between the shelves and the sand tray like a little girl. LOL Sometimes it was a really nice thing to have available if I didn't feel like talking - I could let my hands "talk" in the sand. Good luck!! It's been very beneficial for me! And thanks SD for remembering that I do sandplay!

[Willowleaf]

Artemis, that sounds so good. How does it feel doing it without a therapist? I'm only wondering as having a tough time at present and these posts reminded me I have a tray downstairs. Just worried it could get too much? Does it still help?

[Syra]

Originally Posted by artemis-within

I've done sand trays quite a bit with my t! I love it! My t is certified in sandplay therapy, you can read quite a bit about it at Sandplay Therapists of America (sandplay.org) Basically the t has a sandbox on a tabletop it's got a blue waterproof inside so you can mix water with the sand, actually my t has two boxes, one is for dry sand and one is for sand that can be wet. she has 2 big bookshelves FULL of little miniatures of every sort, animals, people, caves, trees, rocks, etc etc anything you can think of is in those shelves. What you do is pick out items that call to you and you create a "world" in the sand, the first time I did it I felt sorta silly and basically just made swirls in the sand giggling self-consciously. But I quickly warmed up to it. The t stands by quietly watching. Usually quietly, LOL sometimes my t would comment before she could stop herself but then this is just the kind of relationship we have. I don't get to do sandplay with her anymore since she moved out of state and we just do phone sessions now. But I made my own, bought a cheap litter box and put sand in it, and I'm slowly building a small collection of miniatures to use in it. It's very relaxing I think, and I really really enjoyed doing them. At some point it just "feels" done, and then you step back and look at it with your t and talk about it. My t took pictures too for my file. It was always very interesting to talk about them and analyze them together, in fact one of my favorite sand trays has now become a frequently-visited place in my Active Imaginations. I hope you get the chance to do sand play Syra! Give it a chance, like I said, I felt really silly the first couple times. But then it started to be fun and I would at times be skipping between the shelves and the sand tray like a little girl. LOL Sometimes it was a really nice thing to have available if I didn't feel like talking - I could let my hands "talk" in the sand. Good luck!! It's been very beneficial for me! And thanks SD for remembering that I do sandplay!

I've bookmarked the URL so I can read it when I'm done with my tax project
Thanks so much for the rich explanation. I can sense a feeling about "being done"
I'm going to give myself a chance to do sandplay whether I do it in paid therapy sessions or not. It seems to me like it would fit really easily with Internal Family Systems. I remember in art therapy I remarked that I felt 10 years old and free.

[velcro003]

sand is very soothing for some reason. i work with 2 year olds at a preschool, and i love to sit around the sandbox with them

[adel34]

Hi Everyone,
So happy to see this thread!
I've done sandtray in therapy with someone in private practice, in therapy with an intern at the college counseling center, and in a course on expressive arts. In the course I got the chance to gently touch everyone else's sandtrays and it was such a cool experience to get a nonverbal look into their worlds they created. I love how tactile it is as I wouldn't be able to look at their artwork, but I could with this.
I did several sandtrays in therapy about my family, and they were helpful. Especially one where I put a figure representing my mom in a fenced in area because we were talking about how I need to have boundaries with her, and this was such a helpful image.
I would love to find someone who does it again. And if you haven't already, and are interested in all things creative in therapy, feel free to stop by my new social group! (sorry, just had to say that!) (smile)
Please let us know how it goes Syra.

[stopdog]

Doesn't sand get on your hands and stuff? Is it sand because of the lack of permanence? It is so gritty and ucky to feel, for me. Or do you just stick stuff on top of it?

[Willowleaf]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Doesn't sand get on your hands and stuff? Is it sand because of the lack of permanence? It is so gritty and ucky to feel, for me. Or do you just stick stuff on top of it?

Yep it does get in your hands and most people love it, but like you I think it's yucky so tend to put on top and smooth sand or dig with other miniatures to avoid the sensation. I am getting used to it though. Not keen on each either for similar reason

[Syra]

Originally Posted by stopdog

Doesn't sand get on your hands and stuff? Is it sand because of the lack of permanence? It is so gritty and ucky to feel, for me. Or do you just stick stuff on top of it?

When I went to the beach I would only go in the water once. I love it, and am a good swimmer, but I hated the feeling of the sand on my wet feet I think there is very fine sand that can be bought. I doubt I'll get my sand wet. The sand could also be used to hold the figures in place. I never liked finger painting as a kid either. It felt "icky." Hmmmm.

[Syra]

I thought about starting a new thread about this to see if got someone's attention who isn't on this thread, but decided not to, thinking they are probably here already. Has anyone combined IFS with Sand Therapy?

[stopdog]

Fingerpainting was a hellish experience. And clay too. Ugh. But as bad as those were, it was paper mache stuff that really creeped me out about getting on me.

[harrietm]

My t does IFS and sand therapy, but I've been too afraid to try either. How about you, Syra?

[Anne2.0]

I did two sand trays as part of a writers' workshop last summer. It was very cool to work silently alongside 10 other people and then to write two stories that reflected the "scene", and to look at what other people did and how they wrote about it. So I think that for those of you interested in doing it outside the context of therapy, I think it would work well.

[Syra]

Originally Posted by harrietm

My t does IFS and sand therapy, but I've been too afraid to try either. How about you, Syra?

I love IFS and have been doing that outside therapy as well as inside therapy. Somtimes with myself and sometimes with a buddy.

I'm debating whether to suggest bringing sand therapy into my sessions. I think first I should try it on my own.