Sand Tray Counselling is an expressive therapy that provides a unique sensory experiential intervention for addressing a wide range of concerns and issues. It can be especially beneficial when painful or traumatic experiences have occurred, as sand tray is action-oriented, incorporates the senses and taps into implicit memory that is embodied through experiences of trauma. This distancing is projected into the sand tray with miniatures, providing a safe place for clients to process intense emotions and experiences, which can challenge expression through therapy that requires ‘talking about’. The benefit of sand tray is that experiences from the past are not limited to words alone but can play out in a way that feels safe and in control and directed by the client.
‘Telling the story is important; without stories, memory becomes frozen’ – Bessel van der Kolk.
What does a session look like?
Over a 60 minute session the individual is able to engage with a wide range of miniatures, specifically designed for the use in a sand tray. This is a highly unique therapeutic process that does not necessarily require verbal conversation about what and why things are chosen in the process, as the story of the sand tray world remains the focus. This therapy is also client led and the client can move through the process in their own time that feels right for them. A photograph of each sand tray world can be taken at the end of the session and saved in a journal to map the therapeutic process. Sand Tray Counselling is suitable for all ages and a wide range of issues and concerns can be safely addressed.
How does this help?
Sand tray therapy has many benefits for all ages including:
· Like play therapy, if a process is unable to be verbalised, the miniatures become the words and the play the language. Self-direction with the sand tray allows the individual to fully be themselves in a safe and supportive environment. This allows new possibilities to be considered through play with the miniatures, developing expression of self.
· Sand tray has a unique kinaesthetic quality, providing a sensory experience as soon as the sand is touched and manipulated. This tactile touch can reduce anxiety and help to regulate the lower brain.
· Distancing from a painful experience is allowed as the miniatures can verbalise the pain as the individual ‘speaks’ through them, creating a separation of the individual and the world in the sand tray.
· As the process is self-directed, the individual can experience control and empowerment, something which may have been lost through an experience.
· Sand tray helps to foster connection between the two brain hemispheres, as the sand tray experience involves play and creativity, the role of the right brain, which then provides an opening into the narrative and logic left brain hemisphere, which is used to make sense of what happened and gain a coherent story.
· Sand tray can be engaging for individuals who are resistant to therapeutic approaches.
· Sand tray can be beneficial for clients who have difficulties with verbal skills or effectively communicating to others.
· People who have suffered painful experiences that are too difficult to recall verbally can communicate through an expressive and creative therapy.
Would you like to try a different expressive therapy? Click the LEARN MORE button below to read about support through Therapeutic Play
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