Psychotherapists use Sand Tray or Sandplay therapy for treating individuals who experience some traumatic event such as catastrophe or abuse. According to Becca Leitman Psychotherapy, although the therapy is most suitable for children, it is effective for teens and adults. The method involves therapists using sand trays to assess, diagnose, and treat many mental illnesses. The therapy is also useful for increasing emotional expression while reducing psychological distress that arises from discussing traumatic experiences or events.
How Sandplay therapy works
Sandplay therapy is a combination of art therapy and plays therapy. The therapist gives a tray or box filled with sand to the client along with some miniature toys so that they can create a play world. Toys may include anything from cars to people to dinosaurs and farm animals as well as fences, trees, buildings, doors, gates, and similar things that children ordinarily play with. The purpose of using the therapy is the belief that the client will create a world that reflects their inner conflicts or struggles. After completing the sandplay, the therapist discusses with the client what they observed that includes the toys used for playing, how they were arranged, and any metaphorical or symbolic meanings emerging from it.
Based on the discussion, the client may want to rearrange the toys. Sandplay therapy may also include play therapy, art therapy, talk therapy, or any treatment.
The effects of sandplay therapy
Sandplay therapy considers the notion of providing a space where clients feel safe that will encourage them to use the sand tray to generate solutions to their problems all by themselves. Research shows that sandplay therapy increases resilience and reduce several mental illnesses. Since the play is unstructured, it allows clients to experience healing through the therapeutic process. During sandplay, clients free themselves from deep-seated negative emotions because they get the space to express their inner thoughts and feel accepted by the therapist.
While monitoring client engagement during sandplay with toys or symbols they choose to play with, therapists understand the meanings that clients develop and relate them to their experiences. Moreover, sandplay is a pleasurable sensory experience that facilitates the natural expression of emotions.
What to expect
During sandplay, therapists choose some common themes that indicate aggressive behavior or insecurities, as well as positive emotional expression and resilience. Each sandplay session could last for 30 to 60 minutes and take place once or twice a week. After arriving for the session, the therapist will provide you an empty sand tray and miniature toys so that you can start creating your own world. The therapist may ask to take photographs of your work to review the changes that you would make to your work. Alternatively, the therapist might discuss with you after each session of play to review your work.
The therapist might ask you to explain what it would mean if you are asked to cage the domestic animals and set free the more dangerous ones like tigers, lions, and snakes. It may also happen that the therapist gives you free space to work without indulging in discussions.
