July 4th, 2019
During a therapeutic session, sand tray therapy emphasizes what the person is experiencing in that moment, allowing the therapist to become actively involved in facilitating the experience and the emotions. The client shares their deepest thoughts and feelings, and building a therapeutic relationship needs to be strong in order for treatment to be effective. The therapist facilitates rather than directs the therapeutic session allowing the client’s involvement in a healing experience through a sense of control, empowerment, and safety.
During talk therapy the client is immersed in their pain, trauma, and/or anxiety. With sand tray therapy, the client builds a world viewing their pain at a distance, getting a new perspective and picture, allowing their reality to become more balanced. Sand tray therapy allows for the client to use their various senses, such as seeing, touching, and playing with the sand and objects. Trauma is stored in the body and sand tray is considered a multi-sensory experience which awakens the subconscious and repressed memories.
Sand tray therapy is often thought to be a modality for individuals; however sand tray therapy works well with families, couples and groups. Any clients feeling out of control, through sand tray therapy, can experience a welcome change to gain control and takes the focus off the negative self-talk and promote positive awareness.
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