Question
What is sand tray therapy and how can it be utilized across different age groups and settings?
Answer
Sand tray therapy is a versatile form of play or creative expressive therapy suitable for clients of all ages. It involves the use of sand and miniatures (or figures) to create scenes that represent the client's inner world. This method is not limited to young children, despite common perceptions; it can effectively be used with adults, groups, couples, and families, offering powerful therapeutic benefits across various contexts.
The sand in sand tray therapy is not uniform in color; therapists might use different colors to evoke specific experiences or emotions in clients. For example, white sand might have a different psychological impact than red or purple sand. The sand itself is malleable, allowing clients to create representations of their environment, such as hills, valleys, or water, enhancing the expressive and metaphorical potential of the therapy.
Importantly, sand can also serve as a regulating resource. The tactile experience of raking hands or items through the sand can provide a calming and soothing effect, similar to the sense of relaxation many people associate with the beach. This sensory engagement can help clients regulate their emotions and achieve a sense of calm without necessarily using miniatures, demonstrating the therapeutic value of sand on its own.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Introduction to Sand Tray Therapy, presented by Katie Fries, MSW, LCSW
