Category: <span>Children Therapy</span>

The Sand tray therapy experience

The world in the sand tray comes from within, but it feels separate; therefore, it feels safe. It is easier for a person of any age to talk about a scene in a sand tray (a rabbit that is hiding behind a bush possibly frightened of the nearby tiger) than it is to speak directly about his or her own life. At a subconscious level, connections are made between the sand tray world themes and the creator’s own life. These do not have to be pointed out, discussed or highlighted for healing to take place; they are processed on a subconscious level.

Carl Jung, the founder of analytical psychology who developed concepts that still influence sand tray therapy today, once said, “Often the hands know how to solve a riddle with which the intellect has wrestled in vain.

It is not uncommon for those who have completed their first sand tray to remark that they felt a surprising emotional release after the experience. Of course, it typically requires repeated sand tray therapy sessions to fully express an experience and/or work through deeper issues.
When they are creating a world in the sand, even young children seem to intuitively know that they are engaging in something meaningful, something powerful, something that matters.

Sandtray Therapy – a powerful intervention for adults, teens and children

What is Sandtray Therapy?
Sand Tray Therapy is a powerful projective psychotherapy that allows for the nonverbal expression of emotions which facilitates deep psychological healing. Within the safe and protected space provided by the therapist, a client of any age chooses miniatures and creates a “world” in the sand. Children who are not yet developmentally able to verbally discuss abstract concepts create metaphor-rich worlds in the sand that reflect their own inner worlds. Teenagers who may be putting up walls against everyone in their lives and who may be resistant to therapy as well, have nothing to hide when they are working in the sand tray. They quietly build elaborate, often poignant, scenes in the sand. Adults who are engaged in traditional “talk therapy” may eventually feel there is a lack of progress because some experiences for adults are difficult to fully capture on an emotional level when using only words. Sand Tray Therapy provides the opportunity for adults to fully explore their inner landscapes, including their personal histories, past traumas, current struggles, hopes, dreams, and anything that is blocking the way to achieving those dreams.

The Emotional Wellbeing of Children

“There appears to be an incredible burden on school principals to find funding to help children; they can’t simply turn a blind eye to what they are being confronted with on a daily basis. Teachers are really struggling to help children. We know that addressing children’s psychological difficulties enhances their learning experience, but the extent and range of difficulties that children are presenting with in school needs urgent attention, not only to improve their educational chances but to help them deal with their emotional struggles”


Rosaleen McElvaney comments on difficulties facing primary schools in supporting the emotional wellbeing of children.

Emotional Wellbeing for Children

Emotional Wellbeing at the heart of our school communities – City West conference 2015 report.

Ways to help your children develop self-esteem and confidence

Self-esteem and confidence are major traits in individuals that affect their success. While these are a lifelong process, the foundation of it needs to be established in early childhood. Building self-esteem will allow the child to deal with difficult situations that they will encounter during their lifetime. Since parents have the greatest influence on a child’s belief, it is important for them to let their child know where they belong, how well they are doing and contribute towards developing confidence and self-esteem.

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The Subconscious Mind & Sandtray Therapy

Have you ever struggled to figure something out—a big decision that you have to make, what to do next in a relationship, …

The Sand tray therapy experience

The world in the sand tray comes from within, but it feels separate; therefore, it feels safe. It is easier for a person …

Sandtray Therapy – a powerful intervention for adults, teens and children

What is Sandtray Therapy? Sand Tray Therapy is a powerful projective psychotherapy that allows for the nonverbal expression …