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Like art therapy , Sand Tray Therapy helps patients resolve cognitive and emotional issues nonverbally. It utilizes the mind-body connection to allow you to work through psychological trauma and distress in safe, non-invasive ways.
This unique experiential therapy can help patients who are struggling with many forms of trauma. It is not relegated to certain types and can assist all kinds of individuals, from children to adults, with the healing process. Why are we talking about trauma? Because it is often the root of addiction and mental health issues. People who have endured emotional or physical distress through abuse, neglect, or danger can find safety at the sand tray table.
Sand Tray Therapy techniques are primarily patient-focused, so while therapists may guide the process or ask questions, the main actor is the individual, who can choose figures and place them in the sand tray as they wish. While the patient makes decisions and organizes the figures, they are able to express themselves artistically and dramatically. Sand Tray Therapy sessions usually last for anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes.
During Sand Tray Therapy, patients can create artwork or set up scenes that allow them to act out pain, problems, or experiences from a third-person point of view. They can work through issues without retriggering trauma since they have no need to discuss their personal experiences or feelings with another person.
The therapist can facilitate and observe alongside the patient, asking questions and possibly providing further insights; however, therapists do not need to interact with the participant to foster the healing process.
Through the tangible emergence of personal and archetypal symbols in the tray in a safe environment, the client moves toward a sense of balance and wholeness. The effectiveness of Sandplay therapy comes with an understanding of Jungian psychology, as well as the archetypal and personal symbolism that appears in the sand. Knowledge of symbolic language creates a foundation not only for Sandplay therapy but also for dream analysis and all non-verbal therapies involving art and play. The underlying principles and therapeutic use of Sandplay and sandtray are quite distinct, although symbolic images and sandtrays are utilised in both modalities.
The Sandplay Therapist maintains an attitude of receptivity and acceptance so that the client can bring unconscious material into consciousness without censure. Many children are unable to verbalise emotional states, particularly in the face of trauma, neglect, or abuse.
The non-verbal nature of Sandplay Therapy and the familiar medium of sand can help children achieve feelings of comfort and security. With little instruction from the therapist, the child is free to play and develop his or her own expression of situations. The children will often experience a sense of independent play and will begin making assumptions and behaviour changes without cues from the therapist.
This method of therapy serves as a valuable and powerful outlet for children and an incredibly insightful method of gaining access to traumatic experiences. Sandplay Therapy is also very useful in the treatment of children who have been sexually abused. Such children will often remain silent for fear of harm or even death. They are often threatened and are in highly anxious states when they come to therapy.
The relaxed and interactive setting of Sandplay Therapy provides them with the first arena of safety that they need to move toward healing. Adults who have been traumatised and show limited response to other types of therapy may respond well to Sandplay Therapy. The environment presents an atmosphere free from threats, and the therapist works with the person in treatment to alter the positions of the miniature objects as representations of the individuals and events.
By beginning to facilitate change on a fictitious level, a person can gain the courage and ability to recognise that these same changes can be made in his or her life. While the Sandplay process involves creating a series of trays and might last for months or years, significant change may be experienced in just one sand tray session. These reflections give the opportunity to gain self-awareness, resolve conflicts and challenge any obstacles.
Email hello breathe-uk. Sign up to our newsletter and keep up to date with the latest wellbeing tips, news and offers. What is sand tray therapy and how does it work?
Materials used are a sand tray often with a blue interior , water, and a collection of miniature objects which can include: Human and fantasy figures Animals Vegetation Buildings Nature Vehicles Fences and signs Spiritual objects Landscape objects Household items What happens in a session? What do you discuss when exploring the sand tray? General questions or observations might be: If they have a title for their sand tray and what would they call it?
Do any of the miniatures represent them? The names of other miniatures in the sand tray. Some may represent family members, friends or the client. Are some figures looking away from something that is happening? Does this reflect something that has or is happening in their outer world?
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