3 Day Sand Therapy Training with Eliana Gil

This course will explore the assessment and therapeutic potential of sand therapy integrated with play therapy, reviewing the theoretical models of Lowenfeld and Kalff. Information will include a description of how to set up a sand therapy practice, as well as ways to invite individuals, groups, and families. The primary emphasis will be on learning through doing (experiential work); as well as clinical discussion of how to read sand trays, and how to deepen therapeutic connection and understanding.

Specifically, the program objectives are to:

1. Provide opportunities for experiential learning
2. Review the theoretical (pioneering) models of sand therapy
3. Help participants understand the potential for symbolic communication in sand therapy as well as other play techniques
4. Provide guidelines for observing and documenting sandtrays
5. Discuss how metaphor language is incorporated and promotes therapy goals using sand and general play therapy theory and technique
6. Discuss the integration of sand therapy with other play therapy techniques
7. Provide information on setting up a sand therapy practice, including selection and placement of miniatures; height and dimensions of sandtrays; and other basic information including categories of miniatures, recording sand tray information
8. Clinicians will have opportunities to assess how to use their theoretical orientation to invite and engage clients, and how those theoretical underpinnings shape the way clinicians interpret, make meaning, inquire, and craft clinical interventions
9. Finally, participants will have opportunities to do countertransference work to enhance connection and deepen understanding

Program Schedule:

The daily schedule will consist of experiential work, group processing, and didactic presentations.

Day One: Experiential

' Introductions and needs assessment: “Your wish list”

' Experiential work: Individual and group sand worlds

Day Two and Three: The Basics, Processing, and Research

' Basic Principles of Sand Therapy: Setting the

Context (props and miniatures)

' The process of “reading” sandtrays and sand therapy process:

individual and stylistic differences and symbol communication

' Looking for energy spots, signs of resiliency, signs of conflict

' Documenting sandtrays through photo, written descriptions, or

sketches

' Developing therapeutic dialogues: Engaging left-brain activity

at the appropriate time

' Using sand therapy material to construct and promote goals

' Integrating symbolic communication into other play activities

' Countertransferential material and client versus therapist attribution of meaning

' Resources

This course is designed to facilitate group discussion and processing by having a limited size (Maximum 20 participants). There will be ample opportunities to discuss specific needs and concerns.

The schedule may be altered slightly if needed. However, written or lecture information will be presented in all content areas. Each participant will receive a power point presentation, and other resource information.