Sandtray or Sandplay, anyone?

The first time I did sand tray I was pretty skeptical. I didn't understand it and I was a bit scared to try. My T didn't force me and just suggested I give it a try. It was tough because I always want to 'understand' but my understanding tends towards intellectualizing. To be able to let go of analytical mind is tough.

Still, it was amazing. Even with my hesitation and my discomfort, some inner workings of my emotions came forth in the 'story' that was created in the tray. (btw, I never touched the sand. I'm like stopdog - don't like my hands dirty).

I did sand tray a couple more times after that first experience with a few months between. The results were always fascinating.

me me! I do sand trays every now & again. i did one a couple weeks or so ago. I have been doing them for going on 7 years with current t, i've lost count how many I've done by now. (during the period of time she lived in another state and we did phone sessions, i made my own sand tray at home so i could still do them, i didn't have near as many miniatures as she does though so those were kinda limited) but they've been really helpful to me in getting me talking about stuff. also i occasionally have done Active Imaginations using the scenes I've created, and that's been really helpful too.


also i tend to talk to myself and to the objects i'm placing in the sand while i'm doing them, and i know t is listening really closely to what i say even though i feel like i'm just babbling. after i make one, we stand side by side and look at it together. then i name it. after i leave, she takes pictures before she takes it apart. she told me one time you should never take apart your own sand tray. i guess that makes sense. i would love to learn more about the theory behind sand play, but then i don't, because i'm afraid knowing too much might take away the magic of making them, or something.

Now i want to do one again, will have to this coming week!

I was skeptical too the first time. plus i stood there feeling stupid about playing in the sand and just made little swirls and stuff at first!


i'm different though with the sand, i like it. sometimes i don't even do a sand tray at all, i just go in there and stick my hands in the sand because it grounds me.

I've never been to a t who did sandplay. I'd certainly be interested if I could find one that did, I imagine it could be good for childhood trauma.

its excellent for trauma! unfortunately there are not a lot of sandplay therapists out there.


but a lot of play therapists often do sandtray work. what state are you in?

is your therapist an analyst? does she do sandPLAY (jungian) or some other approach like worldplay or sandTRAY?


the theory behind it changes slightly depending on which approach they're using. myself, i tend towards sandplay, but I'm learnng about sandtray too. eventually id lke to go to a sandtray worldplay training but theyre out of state in the cape cod area, so who knows when that might happen.





this is totally okay. I think i did that with my first tray too- played with the sand. its very soothing. I think as adults we have forgotten how to let ourselves let go and play...enjoy sensory input like sand through our fingers...

lol the sand stays in the tray pretty well. id hope no adult client would fling the clay out of the tray

lol the sand stays in the tray pretty well. id hope no adult client would fling the clay out of the tray