Sand Tray Therapy

Sand Tray therapy is a modality that allows a person to create their internal world externally through the utilization of miniatures in the sand. It is a creative way to express yourself in a different way than talk therapy and allows a person's inner thoughts, struggles and concerns to be reflected in the sand and to gain a different perspective. I am currently trained in Sand Tray levels one and two and am excited to continue my education in sand tray.

I am trained in both Foundations and Advanced Techniques in Sand Tray Play Therapy, including the use of Sandtray to resolve trauma, virtual uses of Sand Tray, and the combination of EMDR & Sandtray techniques. Trauma affects the area of the brain dedicated to speech and reason, making it hard to fully process using only words. Sand Tray is a great tool for all ages (children through adults) that can allow you to process past events using your creative right brain.

I have studied using sand tray therapy and have used it often in my work over the past few years. I receive supervision for my sand tray work with clients.

Sometimes it is hard to find words for our feelings and experiences. Sand Tray allows you to interact with your inner self and your lived story through the use of miniatures. Together you and I will then discuss the scene that you have created and allow your unconscious to be brought into the conscious so that you can learn from the part of you that was hidden. I have received training from Marshall Lyles, LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S, EMDRIA.

Sandtray therapy is an expressive and projective process which helps children and families process their issues and emotions. Children with trauma have difficulty with expressing their pain. It is easier for them to use the sand tray and miniatures to express their feelings as sand tray provides a safe place and gives children a sense of control. Sandtray Therapy often helps children access pre-verbal experiences that are in the unconscious mind (right brain).

Sometimes people have a hard time saying what's on their mind either because they can't articulate it or because their brain works more in pictures than in words. Enter Sand Tray Therapy. A client is given a prompt based on what they are working on in therapy or by identifying something they want to work through. By choosing figurines and placing them in a sand tray world, a client can problem solve and learn more about themselves. It's pretty awesome.

Certified Sand Tray Therapist

I trained in Sand Tray Tberapy in 2016 and I utilize this in my office with adult clients who are "stuck in their heads" and need to connect with the more creative parts of their brain.

Especially for children, using objects in a sand tray can be a more effective pathway for expression than hard-to-find words. Relational configurations in the sand can also enable experimenting with moves that can get us unstuck and bring relief.

I am trained in Humanistic Sand Tray therapy and have been practicing Sand Tray and Sand Play therapies as long as I have been licensed.