[*Beth*]

One of the tools my therapist uses is the sand tray. For my session Thursday I'll be doing a sand tray about who I really am (without husband and children, just myself). I'm always lazy to do the sand tray, yet every time I've used it really good insights come from it. Has anyone else used sand tray?

[ArtieTheSequal]

I do! Pretty often, actually. And I have had a lot of good insights come from my sand trays also. They tend to become rather magical at times, not sure how to explain it other than well, they just sort of sometimes feel very alive. Last time I was there I did one where i re-created a dream (nightmare, let's call it what it was even though she doesn't use that term) we'd been working on, my hands were literally shaking while I was creating it (I told her and she said "that's wonderful!" not sure why it was wonderful but anyway) then I changed a part of the dream in the sand so it would be less scary, and that opened up space for me to interact further with the dream and 'talk' to one of the characters in it which is where the insights came from. I am a huge believer in sand tray therapy!

Usually I don't recreate dreams in them, though. I just look at the shelves of miniatures and see what 'calls' to me. A couple times back she handed me a little basket to collect things in that called out to me. That worked really well. I prefer the wet sand, so I can mold it or pour water in it. Do you have a choice between wet and dry sand? If so, which do you prefer? Just curious.

I think it's funny sometimes that while I'm creating in the sand, t will kinda mosey around the room looking at what I'm doing from different angles and I'll hear the occasional "Ahh...." or "Oooh!" out of her. Haha. I used to tell her to sit down and read a magazine til I'm done haha but I don't bother anymore, I'm used to it now.

When I finish one, I name it, then we stand side by side looking at it and just 'feeling' it. After we sit back down sometimes we discuss them, sometimes we don't.

Do you ever find yourself repeatedly using the same little figure? I didn't even realize it for awhile that I was, but yeah, I keep using this little blue angel woman over and over and over in my creations. I use the mermaids a lot too (I'm a swimmer so...) Again, just curious.

well that was a long response haha i get carried away on this subject

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by ArtieTheSequal

I do! Pretty often, actually. And I have had a lot of good insights come from my sand trays also. They tend to become rather magical at times, not sure how to explain it other than well, they just sort of sometimes feel very alive. Last time I was there I did one where i re-created a dream (nightmare, let's call it what it was even though she doesn't use that term) we'd been working on, my hands were literally shaking while I was creating it (I told her and she said "that's wonderful!" not sure why it was wonderful but anyway) then I changed a part of the dream in the sand so it would be less scary, and that opened up space for me to interact further with the dream and 'talk' to one of the characters in it which is where the insights came from. I am a huge believer in sand tray therapy!

Usually I don't recreate dreams in them, though. I just look at the shelves of miniatures and see what 'calls' to me. A couple times back she handed me a little basket to collect things in that called out to me. That worked really well. I prefer the wet sand, so I can mold it or pour water in it. Do you have a choice between wet and dry sand? If so, which do you prefer? Just curious.

I think it's funny sometimes that while I'm creating in the sand, t will kinda mosey around the room looking at what I'm doing from different angles and I'll hear the occasional "Ahh...." or "Oooh!" out of her. Haha. I used to tell her to sit down and read a magazine til I'm done haha but I don't bother anymore, I'm used to it now.

When I finish one, I name it, then we stand side by side looking at it and just 'feeling' it. After we sit back down sometimes we discuss them, sometimes we don't.

Do you ever find yourself repeatedly using the same little figure? I didn't even realize it for awhile that I was, but yeah, I keep using this little blue angel woman over and over and over in my creations. I use the mermaids a lot too (I'm a swimmer so...) Again, just curious.

well that was a long response haha i get carried away on this subject

That's great - it sounds like sand tray really is helpful for you. Yes, I do tend to use the same figures, same trees and flowers. I can't even remember which figures I have re-used, though...the last time I did sand tray was before covid. It will be interesting to do sand tray for the first time in 15 months.

[Mountaindewed]

My old T had a tray of kinetic sand. I always wanted to use it and she said I could. But I never did. I did buy some myself though.