If you are looking for a different type of therapy to help clients with their mental health here is everything you need to know about the sand tray and play therapy. In this article, we will discuss who can benefit from the sand tray and sand play therapy, the techniques used in this type of therapy, and how long each session should last. We will also provide a conclusion on the benefits of the sand tray and sand play therapy.
Sand tray and sand play therapy is a form of therapy that uses sand to help patients express their emotions. This type of therapy is for children but adults can also benefit from it. The therapist will provide the patient with a tray of sand and various objects, such as shells, rocks, and toys. The client will then use the objects to create a scene in the sand. The therapist will then help the client interpret the scene.
Sand tray and sand play therapy are beneficial for patients who have difficulty expressing their emotions. The therapist can use sand to help the patient reenact a traumatic event. It is a creative coping mechanism for the after-effects of trauma.
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What are Sand Tray and Sand Play Therapy
Sand tray and sand play therapy is a form of therapy that uses sand to help clients express their emotions. Sand tray and sand play therapy is a combination of play and art therapy. It is also beneficial for adults.
The therapist will provide the client with a tray of sand and various objects, such as shells, rocks, and toys. The client will then use the objects to create a scene in the sand. The therapist will then help the client interpret the scene.
This type of therapy can also be used to help clients process trauma. The therapist can use the sand tray to help the client reenact a traumatic event. It is similar to Occupational Therapy, used for effective movement of limbs in daily activities. Occupational Therapy, helps in the effective performance of Circadian activities.
It is a form of psychotherapy. People are invited to create three-dimensional pictures in sand trays using miniature objects or figures in presence of a trained therapist. It is an expressive, non-verbal, creative approach that can be used with people of all ages.
What are Circadian activities?
The daily activities that we perform in a day, like eating, sleeping, working, etc. They help us maintain our body’s internal clock and follow a daily routine. Sand tray and sand play therapy are similar to occupational therapy because both aim at the same thing, assisting the patient with more effective movement while performing ADL.
It further helps us in coping with the challenges of daily living by training the individual to better adapt to the same. ADLs and activities of daily living form a major part of an individual’s day.
Who Can Benefit
From It?
From It?The therapy is often used for children but also applies to adults. Sand play and Sand tray helps in emotional release, allowing the patient to open up more. It provides a threat-free environment giving the patients a more secure environment to express themselves.
It gives the patient the freedom to portray their real emotion without the fear of being judged. Not the past, nor the future it focuses on the present moment. The present facilitates the individual to display their real side. People of every age group can benefit from it, but it is preferred for children because of the nature of the therapy.
Techniques of Sand Tray and Play Therapies
There are various techniques that therapists use in the sand tray and sand play therapies. Some common techniques include:
- Using the sand tray to help the client reenact a traumatic event
- Helping the client interpret the scene that they have created
- Using various objects, such as shells, rocks, and toys, to help the client express their emotions
- One of the most common techniques used is the writing the world technique. A nonverbal approach uses pictures or miniatures. People in therapy are encouraged to use miniature toys, figurines, and objects in the sand in ways they choose while the therapist observes and later analyzes the person’s interaction by way of expressed emotions.
- Therapists use this technique solely on the client to find solutions to the problems obstructing them. Sand is a tool for healing through creative expression, a person in therapy can manifest in the sand the things they would otherwise not be able to vocalize or address in traditional therapy. The therapist treats the person as a whole and healed, knowing that the process of sand tray therapy allows the person to find the answers that are already within them.
- It provides a way to communicate when verbalizing becomes too difficult.
Pros and Cons of Sant Tray and Sand Play therapy
Pros
- Allows for nonverbal communication
- Can help people process and make sense of difficult emotions
- Provides a safe and secure environment
Cons
- Maybe too overwhelming for some people
- Adjustment issues
- Different mental level
Time Limit of Therapy
There is no specific time limit for the sand tray and sand play therapy. It depends on the individual and the therapist. Some people may only need a few sessions, while others may need more.
Each session typically lasts for about an hour. However, it may be shorter or longer depending on the needs of the client.
Conclusion
Sand tray and sand play therapy is a unique form of therapy that can be beneficial for people of all ages. It can help people communicate their emotions in a safe and secure environment.
While there are some drawbacks, such as the possibility of triggering old memories, the pros outweigh the cons. If you are considering this type of therapy, be sure to talk to your therapist about it to see if it is right for you.
Sand tray and sand play therapy is a special form of therapy that can be worthy for people of all ages. It can help people communicate their emotions in a safe and secure environment. While there are some drawbacks, such as the possibility of triggering old memories, the pros outweigh the cons. If you are considering this type of therapy, be sure.
A Word From Therapy Mantra
Your mental health — Your psychological, emotional, and social well-being — has an impact on every aspect of your life. Positive mental health essentially allows you to effectively deal with life’s everyday challenges.
At TherapyMantra, we have a team of therapists who provide affordable online therapy to assist you with issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, workplace Issues, addiction, relationship, OCD, LGBTQ, and PTSD. You can book a free therapy or download our free Android or iOS app.
