Sandtray Therapy. What is it and what can I expect?

Sandtray therapy is a powerful form of therapy that can benefit children, teens, and adult clients. This type of therapy involves using a tray of sand and various miniature objects to create a scene that represents the client's thoughts and emotions. Through this process, clients are able to gain insight into their own thoughts and feelings, work through difficult emotions, and develop new coping skills.

Children, in particular, can benefit from sandtray therapy. As they are often not able to express themselves verbally, sandtray therapy can provide them with a creative and nonverbal outlet for their emotions. The sandtray allows them to express themselves in a way that is safe, nonthreatening, and allows for creativity and imagination to be expressed.

Teenagers who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression can benefit from sandtray therapy as well. Often, adolescents are not comfortable discussing their feelings with adults or peers, and sandtray therapy can provide a safe and nonjudgmental space for them to express themselves. Through the use of the sand and miniature objects, they are able to externalize their emotions and experiences, making them easier to manage and process.

Adult clients can also benefit from sandtray therapy. Many adults experience trauma, anxiety, and depression, and may have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. Sandtray therapy allows them to externalize their emotions in a tangible way, making it easier to process and work through their emotions. Other creative modalities blend well with sandtray, including poetry.

A poem about sandtray therapy: