Sandplay therapy training: Diploma in Integrative Sandplay

If the Certificate is the how, the Diploma is the why. At the end of the Certificate, you will have all the sandplay therapy training skills you need. Consequently, the Diploma provides a nurturing space for play therapists, counsellors and psychotherapists working with children, adolescents and adults. In particular, you will explore your own sense of calling, self and spirituality, in a supportive group which works to BACP and UKCP standards.

 

To summarise, you will learn the transpersonal, Buddhist-inspired work of Ken Wilber. Then, Michael Washburn’s idea of ‘regression in the service of transcendence’ . Also, Stanislav Grof’s concept of consciousness before birth. Finally, how sandplay can help older and dying clients.

 

Creativity enhances our client work and nourishes us in life

We will explore ways of using symbolic play to represent and heal ‘parts’ of our personalities.  Specifically, this includes Richard Schwartz’s ‘Internal Family Systems Theory’, as well as bringing together sandplay research and the latest trauma models using symbols. In addition, we will look at systemic ways of working with sandplay with families, parents and children, couples and groups. Then we will relate sand and other forms of play therapy to the mental health world.

We will also learn simple ways of using sand tray to introduce mindfulness and meditation to clients. Also, there will be music, movement and gongs.

You can choose to do the Diploma the year after the Certificate, or take a break and come back to it. Many groups formed on the Certificate stay together for this second year of training.  It is taught by Jill Carter over five weekends spread out over a year. The cost is £1680 if paid upfront or £1750 payable in instalments. From this amount, a non-refundable deposit of £250 is needed at the time of booking.

There is no written work during this course, but there is guided reading . In addition, there are opportunities to present clients and take part in group supervision during the weekends.

To summarise, the Diploma helps you understand sandplay therapy on a personal and professional level. You are welcome to do the Diploma just for the nourishment (as many of us do): if you want to get the Diploma itself, like the Certificate, it is 50 hours of work with clients including some sandplay. We can suggest suitably qualified supervision. There is no time pressure to complete these hours, they don’t have to be finished whilst doing the sandplay therapy training course.