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Page 1: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Bridges in the Sand:Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect

the Abstract to the Concrete

Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-SNorthern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy AssociationHalifax, NS May 14, 2013

Page 2: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

What is Sandtray?

Sandtray therapy is an expressive and projective mode of psychotherapy involving the unfolding and processing of intra-and inter-personal issues through the use of specific sandtray materials as a nonverbal medium of communication, led by the client(s) and facilitated by a trained therapist.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 3: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

History of Sandtray

• 1920’s – Margaret Lowenfeld first developed the use of the sandtray and miniatures after reading H.G. Well’s (1911) book “Floor Games.”

• 1950’s –Dora Kalff, a Swiss Jungian Analyst, expanded and popularized the use of sandtray in her work with children.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 4: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Who can use Sandtray?

• Children• Adults• Couples• Families• Trauma Victims

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 5: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

What can Sandtray be used for?

• Behavioral• Emotional• Social• Adjustment• Abuse

(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 6: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Advantages of Sandtray• Gives expression to nonverbalized emotional

issues• Has a unique kinesthetic quality• Serves to create a therapeutic distance for

clients• Creates a safe place for abreaction to occur• Naturally provides boundaries and limits,

which promote safety for the client• Creates a place for the child client or family to

experience control(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 7: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Advantages of Sandtray

• Provides a unique setting for the emergence of therapeutic metaphors

• Is effective in overcoming client resistance• Provides a needed and effective

communication medium for the client with poor verbal skills

• Cuts through verbalization used as a defense• Effectively addresses the challenge of

transference (Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 8: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Role of Sandtray Therapist

• Be Witness to the Client’s World• Provide Free & Protected Space• Honor Process & Product• Observe the process

(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 9: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

The Sandtray

• Standard Size – 30” X 20” X 3”–Client should be able to see the entire world at

one glance– Limited safe space

• At Waist Height• Blue Inside–Can simulate the sky and water

• Water Tray

(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 10: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Miniatures• People– Ordinary, fantasy, mythological, & magical; diverse races

& cultures, occupations & recreation; fighting, warring, & enslaved; death figures; religious & spiritual people & objects

• Animals– Domestic and wild animals of the land, sea, & air; living,

extinct, mythological, & fantasy; animal habitats; bones, shells, & feathers

• Plant Life– Natural & artificial; complete life cycle

(Homeyer & Sweeney, 2012)Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 11: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Miniatures• Minerals– Rocks; natural & artificial gems; marbles & beads

• Environments– Habitats of various cultures & areas; fences & bridges

• Transportation– Land, water, & air; emergency & military vehicles

• Miscellaneous– Planetary & earth symbols; objects that reflect &

illuminate; addiction & medical symbols, aromatic objects; communication objects, containers; food; construction materials

(Homeyer & Sweeney, 2012)Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 12: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Obtaining Miniatures• Dollar stores• Toy stores• Cake decorating • Yard sales• Seasonal sales• Toy catalogues• Play Therapy Conferences• Grown up children’s old toys

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 13: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Displaying Miniatures

• Open Shelves

• Storage Containers

• Drawers

• Cabinets

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 14: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Processing the Sandtray

Stage 1Begin with a Global View–Invite client to tell you about the scene

Use Reflective Skills–Help client feel understood and valued

Enlarge the Meaning–Tentatively reflecting content or metaphors

can facilitate insight

Page 15: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Processing the Sandtray

Stage 2Move to Scenes and Parts–Gather and clarify sections of the tray,

foster enlarging of the meaning, increase client insight• Tell me more about what is going on here

• Invite client to discuss specific figures.• Tell me about . . .

Page 16: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Processing the Sandtray

Stage 3Explore Specific Details–Does a figure in the scene represent you?

Ask Relationship Questions–Who has the power here?–If _____ could talk to ______, what would

they say?

Page 17: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Processing the Sandtray

Stage 4Close Processing, Empower Client–Establish hope or plans with client• Is there anything you would like to change?• What is going to happen next?• How will your world look different in six months?

–Title sandtray• Some people like to name their worlds, would you like

to name yours?

Page 18: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Evaluating Organization

• Look at the way the miniatures are organized

• Look for “classic” arrangements and mentally note what the arrangement might mean

Page 19: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Common ThemesCommon themes, physical representation of the client’s inner experience, can be identified through the client’s sandworld

• Empty World• Unpeopled World• Closed/Fenced World• Rigid World• Disorganized/Chaotic World• Aggressive World

(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).

Page 20: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Empty World

1/3 or more of tray is empty–World is an unhappy, empty place–Dearth of ideas, rejection, escape–Mental resources are deficient - depressed

(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 21: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Unpeopled World

No men, women, or children–Wish for escape–Hostile feelings toward people– Especially true with the exclusive use of

soldiers

(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 22: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Closed/Fenced World

Use of fences or other dividers– Self-protective–Closing self off from others–Closing dangers out– Fear of own inner impulses, need for

external control

(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 23: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Rigid World

Rows of items (particularly over-exaggerated uniformity)–Perfectionist–Attempt to create order–Need for self-control– Emotional rigidity, repression

(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 24: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Resources

• Sandplay Therapists of America (STA)www.sandplayusa.org

• Sandtray Traininghttp://www.sandtraytraining.com

• Sandtray Networkwww.sandtray.org

• Visionquesthttp://www.vision-quest.us/vqisr/index.htm

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 25: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

ReferencesArmstrong, S. A. (2008). Sandtray therapy: A humanistic

approach. Dallas, TX: Ludic PressBoik, B. L., & Goodwin, E. A. (2000). Sandplay therapy: A

step-by-step manual for psychotherapists of diverse orientations. New York, NY: Norton.

Bradway, K., & McCoard, B. (1997). Sandplay – Silent workshop of the psyche. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge.

Carey, L. J. (1999). Sandplay therapy with children and families. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.

Homeyer, L. E., & Sweeney, D. S. (1998). Sandtray: A practical manual (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Page 26: Bridges in the Sand: Using Sandtray Therapy to Connect the Abstract to the Concrete Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S Northern Illinois.

Thank You

Charles Myers

[email protected]

Northern Illinois University

Dept. of Counseling, Adult &Higher Education

Gabel Hall 200

DeKalb, IL 6015

(815)753-7501

Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.


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