Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
Halifax, NS May 14, 2013
Charles E. Myers, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, NCSC, ACS, RPT-S
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Sandtray therapy is an expressive and projective mode of psychotherapy involving the unfolding and processing of intra-and inter-personal issues through the use of specific sandtray materials as a nonverbal medium of communication, led by the client(s) and facilitated by a trained therapist.
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• 1920’s – Margaret Lowenfeld first developed the use of the sandtray and miniatures after reading H.G. Well’s
(1911) book “Floor Games.”
• 1950’s –Dora Kalff, a Swiss Jungian
Analyst, expanded and popularized the use of sandtray in her work with children.
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Children
• Adults
• Couples
• Families
• Trauma Victims
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Behavioral
• Emotional
• Social
• Adjustment
• Abuse
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Gives expression to nonverbalized emotional issues
• Has a unique kinesthetic quality
• Serves to create a therapeutic distance for clients
• Creates a safe place for abreaction to occur
• Naturally provides boundaries and limits, which promote safety for the client
• Creates a place for the child client or family to experience control
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Provides a unique setting for the emergence of therapeutic metaphors
• Is effective in overcoming client resistance
• Provides a needed and effective communication medium for the client with poor verbal skills
• Cuts through verbalization used as a defense
• Effectively addresses the challenge of transference
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Be Witness to the Client’s World
• Provide Free & Protected Space
• Honor Process & Product
• Observe the process
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Standard Size – 30” X 20” X 3”
– Client should be able to see the entire world at one glance
– Limited safe space
• At Waist Height
• Blue Inside
– Can simulate the sky and water
• Water Tray
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 1998)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• People
– Ordinary, fantasy, mythological, & magical; diverse races
& cultures, occupations & recreation; fighting, warring,
& enslaved; death figures; religious & spiritual people & objects
• Animals
– Domestic and wild animals of the land, sea, & air; living, extinct, mythological, & fantasy; animal habitats; bones, shells, & feathers
• Plant Life
– Natural & artificial; complete life cycle
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 2012)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Minerals
– Rocks; natural & artificial gems; marbles & beads
• Environments
– Habitats of various cultures & areas; fences & bridges
• Transportation
– Land, water, & air; emergency & military vehicles
• Miscellaneous
– Planetary & earth symbols; objects that reflect & illuminate; addiction & medical symbols, aromatic objects; communication objects, containers; food; construction materials
(Homeyer & Sweeney, 2012)
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Dollar stores
• Toy stores
• Cake decorating
• Yard sales
• Seasonal sales
• Toy catalogues
• Play Therapy Conferences
• Grown up children’s old toys
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Open Shelves
• Storage Containers
• Drawers
• Cabinets
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Stage 1
Begin with a Global View
– Invite client to tell you about the scene
Use Reflective Skills
– Help client feel understood and valued
Enlarge the Meaning
– Tentatively reflecting content or metaphors can facilitate insight
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Stage 2
Move to Scenes and Parts
– Gather and clarify sections of the tray, foster enlarging of the meaning, increase client insight
• Tell me more about what is going on here
• Invite client to discuss specific figures.
• Tell me about . . .
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Stage 3
Explore Specific Details
– Does a figure in the scene represent you?
Ask Relationship Questions
– Who has the power here?
– If _____ could talk to ______, what would they say?
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Stage 4
Close Processing, Empower Client
– Establish hope or plans with client
• Is there anything you would like to change?
• What is going to happen next?
• How will your world look different in six months?
– Title sandtray
• Some people like to name their worlds, would you like to name yours?
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

• Look at the way the miniatures are organized
• Look for “classic” arrangements and mentally note what the arrangement might mean
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Common themes, physical representation of the client’s inner experience, can be identified through the client’s sandworld
•Empty World
•Unpeopled World
•Closed/Fenced World
•Rigid World
•Disorganized/Chaotic World
•Aggressive World
(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

1/3 or more of tray is empty
– World is an unhappy, empty place
– Dearth of ideas, rejection, escape
– Mental resources are deficient - depressed
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.
(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).

No men, women, or children
– Wish for escape
– Hostile feelings toward people
– Especially true with the exclusive use of soldiers
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.
(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).

Use of fences or other dividers
– Self-protective
– Closing self off from others
– Closing dangers out
– Fear of own inner impulses, need for external control
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.
(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).

Rows of items (particularly overexaggerated uniformity)
– Perfectionist
– Attempt to create order
– Need for self-control
– Emotional rigidity, repression
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.
(Homeyer & Sweeney 1998).

• Sandplay Therapists of America (STA) www.sandplayusa.org
• Sandtray Training http://www.sandtraytraining.com
• Sandtray Network www.sandtray.org
• Visionquest http://www.vision-quest.us/vqisr/index.htm
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Armstrong, S. A. (2008). Sandtray therapy: A humanistic
approach. Dallas, TX: Ludic Press
Boik, B. L., & Goodwin, E. A. (2000). Sandplay therapy: A step-by-step manual for psychotherapists of diverse
orientations. New York, NY: Norton.
Bradway, K., & McCoard, B. (1997). Sandplay – Silent
workshop of the psyche. New York, NY: Brunner-
Routledge.
Carey, L. J. (1999). Sandplay therapy with children and
families. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson.
Homeyer, L. E., & Sweeney, D. S. (1998). Sandtray: A
practical manual (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.

Charles Myers
CEMyers@niu.edu
Northern Illinois University
Dept. of Counseling, Adult &Higher Education
Gabel Hall 200
DeKalb, IL 6015
(815)753-7501
Myers, C. E. (2013). CCPA.