Playing in Sand ™: An Introduction to the Power, Practice and Play of
Sandtray Therapy
Program Description
This program will introduce the participant to explore the use of Sandtray therapy as an
expressive therapy for trauma healing. Participants will receive information on the
science, art, and practice of Sandtray therapy, and will complete this training prepared to
begin incorporating this process into their existing therapeutic modalities. A practical
and experiential workshop, participants will build upon the scientific support for
interventions of this nature, and learn immediately practical and applicable tools.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:
1. Name the various perspectives and approaches to sandtray;
2. Describe the basic preparations for sandtray;
3. List the appropriate populations and pacing for sandray work;
4. Explain the benefits, limitations, and solutions for working in various settings,
including schools;
5. Outline the process of sandtray including how to begin with child or adult clients,
what to pay attention to, self-awareness, and when or how to process the client’s
creation;
6. Discuss the differences between directive and non-directive trays, when each
might be most appropriate, and some basic directive prompts to begin your
practice;
7. List special practice points and ethical considerations:
8. Name the universal multidisciplinary “Do’s and Don’ts” of Sandray.
9. Create and experience your won sandtray and apply this learning to your client
population.
Target Audience
This program will be highly beneficial to all mental health practitioners who work with
individuals who have a history of trauma. This includes clinical social workers,
psychologists, counselors, psychiatric providers and substance abuse professionals.
Contact Hours
6.0 contact hours
Program Agenda
9:00 - 10:30 AM
 Opening “Pick a Piece” Activity
 Introduction to Sandtray Therapy
 Connection Activity and Partner Process
 Trauma Tune In
 The Science and Relevance of Sandtray Interventions
 The Art of Sandtray - Know Thyself, Protocol, Populations, Pacing
10:30 - 10:45 AM Break
10:45 - 12 Noon
 Introduction to The Practice of Sandtray - Everything you need to know to get
started!
 Sandtray Practice Points - Preparation, Place, Pieces
1:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch
2 PM - 3:30 PM
 Sandtray Practice Points - Plan, Processing
 Elemental Connections
 Special Considerations
 Sandtray Scrapbook
 Sandtray Experiential 1 - Partner Process Tray
3:30 - 3:45 PM Break
3:45 - 5:00 PM
 Sensitive Reflection Process - Group
 Sandtray Experiential 2 - Group Work
 Sensitive Reflection Process and Completion Activity
 Closing Activity - Sensory Based Debrief
5:00 PM Adjourn
Faculty
Cherie L. Spehar, MSW, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Facilitator,
Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Trauma Consultant-Supervisor in
Apex, NC. A clinician since 1994, she has dedicated her life to the well-being and
healing of children, women and families. With her extensive clinical background, her
professional path has found her in longstanding roles such as Executive Director of The
Child Abuse Prevention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina and Training Coordinator and
Developer with the North Carolina State University Social Work Department. Ms. Spehar
can be found at her private practice center, Smiling Spirit Pathways, where she has
developed a haven for consultation, training, child and family therapy, and trauma
services. There, she also develops children’s groups, facilitates workshops related to
resiliency, “trauma parenting”, and women’s wellness and serves as a field instructor for
UNC-CH, School of Social Work. Ms. Spehar is a Certified Trauma ConsultantSupervisor with The National Center for Trauma and Loss in Children (TLC) and has
served hundreds of children and adults with TLC Programs. Additionally, she has
pioneered efforts in her local and statewide school system to bring Trauma-Informed
approaches into the educational setting and provides regular consultation to community
agencies on Trauma-Informed Care. Ms. Spehar also provides presentations, Keynotes,
and trainings locally and nationally on working with traumatized children and adults. She
further specializes in Therapeutic Writing interventions and holds a Certificate of
Advanced Study in this expressive therapy field. She has recently developed a Trauma
Mentorship Program in which she accepts beginner and advanced candidates for
intensive study in the use of trauma-informed interventions and approaches.
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