Sand tray therapy
If you or your child find it challenging to express thoughts and feelings through words, sand tray therapy (also known as sand play therapy) might provide a comforting alternative. This creative and interactive approach offers a safe space to explore emotions and experiences without relying on verbal communication.
On this page, we’ll explore what sand tray therapy is and its benefits, what to expect from a session, and who it can help.
What is sand tray therapy?
Sand tray therapy is an expressive and experiential therapeutic approach designed to help individuals communicate what’s going on beneath the surface, without the need for words. Clients use a tray of sand and miniature figures to create scenes that symbolise their emotions, thoughts, and experiences. This method provides a safe, symbolic space to explore complex feelings and navigate challenges, making it especially helpful for children and others who find verbal expression difficult.
In this video, counsellor and psychotherapist Zara Kadir (MA Couns&PsychTh, MA Child, Adolescent & FamilyTh (MBACP)) explains how sand trays can help children express their emotions.
The origins of sand tray therapy
Sand tray therapy was pioneered in the 1920s by Dr. Margaret Lowenfeld, a paediatrician and child psychiatrist inspired by Carl Jung’s theories on symbolism and the unconscious mind. Initially developed as a play therapy tool for children, it has since evolved to support people of all ages in addressing emotional and psychological challenges. Today, sand tray therapy is widely used across various therapeutic modalities, including trauma-focused therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and family therapy.
What can sand tray therapy help with?
Sand tray therapy can address a broad range of emotional and psychological issues, including:
- anxiety and depression
- emotional regulation difficulties
- family and relationship conflicts
- grief and loss
- self-esteem and personal development
- trauma and PTSD
Sand tray therapy’s effectiveness comes from allowing clients to express complex thoughts and emotions in a safe, symbolic way. Providing a non-verbal outlet can help clients navigate difficult life experiences and work through inner conflicts, often leading to powerful emotional revelations.
What to expect in a sand tray therapy session
During a session, you’ll work with a tray of sand and a variety of figurines and objects (symbols) to create a scene that represents your inner world. The sand can be wet or dry, offering a sensory experience that can be particularly beneficial for neurodivergent clients, as it may help regulate an activated central nervous system.
Common materials and objects include:
- People: Figures representing various ages, genders, ethnicities, professions, and roles such as family members, heroes, and villains.
- Animals: Wild animals, domesticated animals, mythical creatures, and symbolic animals like lions for courage or snakes for danger.
- Fantasy and mythical creatures: Dragons, unicorns, fairies, wizards, and other imaginative figures that encourage creative storytelling.
- Structures and buildings: Houses, castles, bridges, fences, and other architectural elements to create environments or settings.
- Nature elements: Trees, rocks, rivers, mountains, and flowers representing the natural world.
- Vehicles and transportation: Cars, boats, aeroplanes, and other modes of movement symbolising journeys or transitions.
- Religious and spiritual symbols: Crosses, prayer beads, altars, and other items representing belief systems or spiritual concepts.
- Emotional and abstract symbols: Hearts, masks, chains, ladders, and other objects that represent abstract concepts or emotions.
- Conflict and protection: Weapons, shields, barriers, and other symbols related to defence, aggression, or danger.
- Treasure and value: Coins, jewels, treasure chests, and other symbols representing wealth, value, or hidden potential.
- Miscellaneous objects: Items that don’t fit neatly into other categories but are important for storytelling, like everyday tools or whimsical objects.
Sessions typically last 50-60 minutes and take place in a calming environment. Sand tray therapy can be conducted individually or in groups (such as in family therapy), depending on the client’s needs.
The sand tray can be used following a visualisation or a whole family could recreate the conflict that they had the previous night to use the figures to consider ways forward. In this way, the sand tray becomes dynamic and a co-created space with the therapist.
- Counsellor/Psychotherapist (Snr Accred) Tanya Nielson explores how sand tray work forms part of her therapeutic practice.
What is the role of the therapist?
Sand tray therapists typically take a non-directive approach, allowing the client to lead the process of creating their tray. The therapist provides a safe and supportive environment but refrains from instructing the client on what to include or how to arrange items. This approach emphasises the client’s autonomy and allows their subconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences to surface through the symbolic use of the sand and figures.
Therapists may:
- Offer a gentle invitation to begin, such as, “Feel free to choose whatever stands out to you.”
- Reflect on what the client creates by describing what they see in neutral terms, such as, “I notice you placed the wolf near the house.”
- Ask open-ended questions to encourage reflection, like, “Does this arrangement feel complete?” or “What does this part of the tray mean to you?”
- Focus on the client’s process, observing their emotional responses and providing space for exploration without imposing interpretations or leading the session.
In certain situations, such as with younger children or clients needing more structure, the therapist might use a semi-directive approach by offering prompts, like, “Can you show me what your perfect day would look like?” or “What would you add to make this scene feel safer?” However, even in these cases, the therapist avoids influencing the client’s choices and respects their creativity and perspective.
The ultimate goal is to let the tray become a projection of the client’s unconscious processes, enabling insight and healing to emerge naturally.
What are the benefits of sand tray therapy?
One of the major strengths of sand tray therapy is its adaptability. It’s a flexible method suitable for individuals of all ages, offering a range of benefits, including:
- Non-verbal expression - This therapy is especially helpful for those who may find it difficult to articulate their feelings or struggles through words. It allows people to express complex feelings and conflicts without having to vocalise them.
- Emotional healing - Whether a child processing a complex family situation or an adult healing from past trauma, sand tray therapy offers a safe space for emotional expression. It can facilitate the emotional release and processing of difficult life experiences.
- Self-awareness and personal growth - It can help clients explore their inner world and gain insights into their emotions and behaviours.
Children can often really enjoy this type of therapy, as it fosters a ‘small world play’ approach.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to see results?
Every individual is different. Some may feel a shift after a few sessions, while others may benefit from ongoing therapy over several months.
Is sand tray therapy suitable for adults?
While often associated with children, adults can also benefit from this approach, especially when working through trauma or exploring personal growth.
Can sand tray therapy be done online?
Yes, some therapists offer online sand tray therapy using virtual tools or by guiding clients to create scenes at home and discuss them during sessions.
What if my child doesn’t want to talk during therapy?
That’s perfectly fine. Sand tray therapy is designed to create a non-verbal outlet, allowing clients to express themselves in a way that feels safe and natural.
To find out more about what to expect, we would advise contacting a counsellor who offers sand tray therapy. They will be able to guide you and help you decide if this is the right approach for you or your child.
