Sand play is a safe therapy for children, youth and adults.
Sandplay and Symbol Work
History
Formulated from the psychology work of Carl Jung and further developed by Dora Kaff. It allows clients to identify and work through internal conflicts and emotional blocks in their psyche that can manifest as mental health issues. It is a safe self-direct place where children and adults can explore understanding and develop healing about their complex life experiences.
Sand play allows the unconscious to emerge and heal as pictures, stories and scenes that are safe for the client.
Neurobiology supports the understanding that memories especially emotional memories are stored in the limbic system and right side of the brain. This side of the brain also responsible for some of our nonverbal responses, sensory experience such as body sensations and emotions. Using symbols, shapes, stories, and scenes can help the client to process unconscious blocks that cause emotional dysregulation, behavioural challenges, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.
Sandplay has emerged as a gentle yet powerful expressive therapy tool. It has shown to be effective for trauma, abuse and neglect recovery.
Early childhood exposure to neglect, abuse or trauma can cause long lasting dysregulation in the nervous system causing clients to develop unhelpful ways of coping.
Sand play allows the freedom to integrate the nervous system and begin to regulate functional poly vagal responses.
The kinetic medium of the sand soothes the nervous system and allows for the freedom of expression and supports processing of trauma in the psyche.