Sandplay therapy is a creative and effective way of working with children, young people, adults and families. The therapy uses miniature figures which the client places in a box of sand in order to tell their story and process feelings. Sandplay is widely used in schools as well as counselling and mental health settings.
Sandplay is valuable because it is proven to work
Dora Kalff initially developed Jungian Sandplay Therapy in the 1930’s. Her work is the basis of all of our courses. However, we also integrate skills from Gestalt sand tray, object relations, transpersonal and person-centred sandplay work. This creates a very flexible and adaptable non-verbal therapy ideal for working with children. It is also great for using with teenage clients, as well as adult clients who may be more suited to non-verbal play therapy, such as those with Autism or Dementia.
We teach evidence-based sandplay therapy techniques to use with primary school aged children, teenagers and adults. It is ideal for clients who struggle with words or want to go beyond talking therapy. The results are that children in particular will be able to express feelings, traumatic memories and improve their behaviour, often in a relatively short period of time. It can also help adolescent and adult clients who can’t express themselves or access feelings in talking therapy.
Why do our sandplay trainings?
All of our sandplay therapy courses are based on recent research and our own clinical case studies. We can show you key skills to get results. On every weekend, you are welcome to bring your clients’ material to discuss in group supervision. In addition, we will help you through your own personal sandplay process in a small, supportive group environment. You will, therefore, become a well-rounded, confident sandplay therapist able to use sand with clients, in supervision and as a way of looking after yourself.
You can apply to become a Sandplay Therapist after you successfully complete our one year’s Certificate course. You must have a counselling qualification (or similar) to get the full Certificate. Other mental health or educational professionals or volunteers are welcome to come on the course to learn sandplay skills and for your own self development.
There is no written work, instead, you must complete 50 hours of client work and are assessed during group and individual supervision. You do not have to finish all of your client hours during the course.
