What is Sandtray/Sandplay Therapy?

Sandtray and Sandplay Therapy are powerful, nonverbal approachs that allows clients to express thoughts, emotions, and experiences through creating scenes in a tray of sand using miniature figures and objects. It is especially effective for children, teens, and adults who find it challenging to express themselves verbally.

How It Helps

Sandtray and Sandplay therapy provide a safe and creative space to explore:

  • Trauma and past experiences

  • Emotional challenges such as anxiety, depression, or grief

  • Family dynamics or relationship patterns

  • Self-expression and identity exploration

  • Conflict resolution and problem-solving

By externalizing thoughts and feelings into the sand, clients can gain insight, process emotions, and practice new ways of coping in a tangible, symbolic way.

Integrating EMDR

At New Perspectives Counseling, we often integrate EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) with Sandtray Therapy. This combination allows clients to:

  • Process trauma in a safe, tangible, and symbolic way

  • Address deeply held emotional patterns while creating in the sand

  • Merge nonverbal expression with evidence-based trauma processing

Who Can Benefit

Sandtray and Sandplay therapy are ideal for clients who are visual, creative, or struggle with verbal expression, including:

  • Children and teens processing trauma or developmental challenges

  • Adults exploring complex emotions or relationship dynamics

  • Clients on the Autism Spectrum, ADHD, or Twice Exceptional (2e), as it provides a hands-on, low-pressure way to explore feelings and experiences

Our Approach

Sandtray and Sandplay sessions are tailored to each client, integrating:

  • Trauma- and attachment-informed care

  • IFS-informed techniques

Families may also be involved when appropriate to support consistent understanding and progress across home, school, and community settings.

Why Choose Sandtray or Sandplay Therapy (for more information on the differences check out this link Sandplay Vs. Sandtray: The Important Differences - Sandtray Therapy Training | Southern Sandtray Institute)

Sandtray therapy, combined with EMDR when appropriate, allows clients to express what words cannot, gain insight into their inner world, and develop new strategies for coping and connecting. It is a flexible, creative, and evidence-informed tool for clients of all ages navigating emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges.

Schedule a Sandtray or Sandplay Therapy Session

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