Become an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist
Upcoming Sandtray Trainings
Are you ready to take your mental health practice to the next level and help clients access their unconscious without words?
Discover the transformative power of Sandtray Play Therapy, unlocking new possibilities for growth and healing!
What is Sandtray Therapy?
Sandtray Therapy is a creative and expressive therapeutic approach that allows
individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a nonverbal and
symbolic way. It involves the use of a tray filled with sand and a collection of miniature
figures or objects. Clients are invited to create scenes or "worlds" within the sandtray using these figures, which can represent aspects of their internal or external lives.
This approach is rooted in Jungian psychology and is often used to access the
unconscious mind. It is particularly effective for children, who may struggle to articulate
their emotions verbally, but it is also beneficial for adults, families, and groups. Sandtray
therapy is used in various contexts, including trauma recovery, grief work, relationship
issues, and personal growth. Sandtray therapy is valued for its ability to bypass
cognitive defenses and allow deep, meaningful exploration and healing.
How Can Sandtray Therapy Elevate My Practice?
Training in Sandtray Therapy can significantly enhance your practice by providing a
powerful, creative, and nonverbal therapeutic approach. Here's how it can benefit you and your clients:
1. Expands Your Therapeutic Toolbox
Sandtray therapy equips you with an innovative method to engage clients, offering a
unique alternative to traditional talk therapy. This can be especially useful for clients
who find it difficult to articulate their emotions or experiences verbally.
2. Deepens Client Insight
The use of symbols and metaphors in sandtray therapy can access the unconscious
mind, helping clients uncover hidden thoughts, feelings, and patterns. This deeper
understanding often leads to more profound breakthroughs in therapy.
3. Enhances Engagement
Sandtray therapy is interactive and hands-on, making it particularly appealing to
children, neurodivergent individuals, and those who may struggle with verbal
communication. It also fosters a playful and creative atmosphere, which can enhance
the therapeutic alliance.
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4. Addresses Trauma and Emotional Challenges
Sandtray therapy is highly effective for processing trauma, grief, and complex emotions.
It provides a safe, contained space for clients to explore difficult experiences at their
own pace, promoting healing without the need for detailed verbal recounting.
5. Broadens Client Base
Adding sandtray therapy to your skill set can attract a wider range of clients, including
families, couples, children, and adults who may benefit from this expressive approach.
6. Personal and Professional Growth
Learning sandtray therapy deepens your understanding of symbolic processing,
nonverbal communication, and the power of metaphor. It can also reignite your passion
for therapy by introducing a fresh, creative element to your work.
7. Differentiates Your Practice
Gaining a credential in sandtray therapy sets you apart from other practitioners,
showcasing your dedication to offering diverse and effective therapeutic modalities.
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By integrating sandtray therapy into your practice, you can offer a versatile and
transformative tool that enriches the therapeutic experience for your clients and
enhances your professional expertise. Whether you're working with children, adults, or families, sandtray therapy can help you guide clients toward healing, self-discovery, and growth in a meaningful and impactful way.
About This Course...
What is ICST?
The ICST (Integrative Creative Sandtray Training) program offers a comprehensive system designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to incorporate sandtray therapy into your practice effectively.
Got Questions?
Feel free to reach out to mary@pawsitivecounselingcenter.com for more information.
Course Format: Online or In-Person?
ICST training is delivered through a dynamic hybrid model. The program begins with in- person training for Levels 1 2, followed by weekly online meetings for 15 hours of case consultation. The journey culminates with a return to in-person training for Levels 3 & 4, where you will complete your certification.
Training sessions are conducted in a small workshop format at our training center in Fremont, Michigan with visits from some of our amazing animal partners. This setting allows for immersive learning, personal growth, and meaningful connections with other
professionals. It’s a perfect blend of instruction, self-reflection, and relaxation, ensuring you leave feeling rejuvenated and equipped with practical tools.
You’ll experience the healing power of sandtray therapy while connecting deeply with like-minded professionals in a supportive environment.
Why Choose ICST?
By the end of this six-month training program, you’ll not only have a powerful new therapeutic tool to support your clients but also strategies to reduce stress and burnout in your own life. Plus, you’ll gain a highly marketable skill to enhance your practice and
stand out as a therapist.
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Take the leap, embrace the beauty of sandtray therapy, and join Pawsitive Training Center for an experience that will heal, connect, and inspire you!
Level 1: Foundations and Applications of Sandtray Play Therapy
This workshop comprehensively introduces sandtray play therapy, covering its history,
foundational principles, and practical applications. Participants will explore the
differences between sandtray and sand play therapy, learn about the materials needed
for effective sandtray work, and develop skills for working with children and adults. The
training emphasizes hands-on learning, including role-play scenarios, group activities,
and case study analysis to deepen understanding of therapeutic processes.
Special attention will be given to recognizing common themes in sandtray therapy,
understanding developmental considerations for children and special populations, and
exploring non-directive play therapy principles. The workshop also highlights the latest
sandtray research, focusing on how sandtray therapy promotes emotional regulation
and trauma healing. By the end, participants will feel equipped to incorporate sandtray
techniques into individual, group, and family therapy settings.
Day 1
Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:
1) Describe the history of sandtray work in play therapy.
2) Differentiate between sandtray therapy and sand play therapy.
3) Identify the materials needed for sandtray work, including miniatures, sand, and
sand trays.
4) Demonstrate the skills required to process sandtray work with adults and children.
5) List 20 directives for sandtray work in play therapy provided by the instructor and
generate additional directives based on case examples.
6) Analyze several case studies of adults and or children to understand the therapeutic
sandtray play therapy processes involved in treatment.
7) Recognize 10 common themes in sandtray play therapy, including those indicative
of mental health concerns and pathways to healing.
8) Discuss the Therapeutic Powers of Play Therapy and its treatment implications
within the sand tray.
Day 2
Based on the content of this workshop, I am able to:
1) Summarize developmental issues that arise in sandtray work with children and
other special populations.
2) Explain the principles of non-directive play therapy and how they apply to work with
children in sandtray therapy.
3) Participate in and demonstrate role-play scenarios involving sandtray play therapy
work, including interactions specific to children and adults.
4) Analyze case studies of children and or adults to identify the therapeutic processes
occurring in sandtray play therapy treatment.
5) Discuss and analyze the latest brain-informed research on the therapeutic benefits
of sandtray in play therapy.
6) Engage in a group sandtray activity and apply three methods for incorporating
sandtray into group and family therapy settings.
7) Discuss the importance of cultural humility in sandtray play therapy and identify
strategies to create a culturally responsive and inclusive therapeutic environment