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History

Over 70 years ago Dora Kalff of Switzerland, having been influenced by Margaret Lowenfeld a pioneering child psychoanalyst, and Carl Jung a Swiss psychiatrist, developed Sandplay Therapy. This is now recognised and practised successfully throughout the world.

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How does Sandplay Therapy work?

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Sandplay and symbol work enables the subconscious  to be acted out, externalises the inner world, traumas can be reworked and re processed and repressed needs can be expressed symbolically and safely.

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Individual, non-threatening subconscious work is an important element in this type of therapy and it allows you to work at your own pace and to 'drop your guard' or open up.

In a shallow rectangular tray half filled with sand, you are given the opportunity to create whatever shape you want in the sand, and populate this space with your selection from hundreds of tiny objects and figures in order to create a picture of your 'inner world'.

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The activity is multidimensional - using eyes, hands, body, mind, and spirit and allows you to participate in a non-verbal creative process.

Sandplay Therapy allows you to work in a safe environment and it is highly effective in reducing emotional causes behind difficult behaviours.

 

Sandplay Therapy is carried out in a confidential, non-judgmental and nurturing environment.

“A …‘safe/protected space’ is provided allowing you to express feelings and experiences. In this environment you are free to direct activity in the sandtray and the counsellor provides an opportunity for the emergence of the person’s natural, inbuilt, intelligent movement toward wholeness.” (Pearson & Wilson, 2001)

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