ILAPT Southern Illinois Training: The Sandtray as Therapeutic Space

The Sandtray as Therapeutic Space: Skills for Play Therapists

Sandtray is a versatile, symbolic, and sensory-based therapeutic medium that supports clients across the lifespan in expressing complex emotions, exploring inner worlds, and making meaning through metaphor. In this six-hour experiential workshop, play therapists will learn to use the sandtray as a therapeutic space that fosters safety, attunement, and narrative expression for children, adolescents, and adults alike. Participants will explore session structure, miniature selection and organization, facilitation skills, and responsive interventions that honor client autonomy and process. Through demonstration, guided practice, and reflective discussion, therapists will build confidence and competence in integrating sandtray into clinical work with individuals, families, and groups. Emphasis is placed on trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and developmentally attuned practice within professional play therapy standards.

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026

Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: John A. Logan College; 700 Logan College Dr, Carterville, IL 62918

Please note: This is a Live Event with no live streaming available

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER

Mandy Kellums Baraka, PhD, LCPC, BC-TMH, RPTTM, is a counselor educator, play therapist, and international trainer whose work centers on presence, formation, and culturally attuned care. She teaches graduate counseling courses in clinical mental health, multicultural counseling, crisis and trauma, and play therapy, and regularly facilitates trainings for counselors, churches, and ministry teams around the world. Dr. Baraka’s scholarship includes supervision and transnational supervision, spiritual development in counseling, and creative counseling approaches. She is passionate about creating experiential learning spaces that help mental health professionals and students deepen self-awareness, expand clinical imagination, and embody compassion in the therapy room. Dr. Baraka is currently the Illinois Counseling Association President Elect-Elect, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Wheaton College (IL), and provides counseling for children, adolescents, and adults at Stenzel Clinical Services.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe the essential components of the sandtray as a therapeutic space within play therapy.
2. Explain key theoretical foundations of sandtray work as a play therapy modality.
3. Demonstrate foundational skills for facilitating a sandtray session in play therapy.
4. Identify and discuss common symbolic themes, metaphors, and patterns.
5. Apply developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive play therapy strategies.
6. Articulate ethical and practical considerations specific to sandtray in play therapy.

Continuing Education Credits

This course meets the requirements for 6 contact CE credits under the Association for Play Therapy categories:

Skills & Methods- 3.5 hours; Special Topics- 1.5 hours; Cultural & Social Diversity - 1 hour

CE is awarded for master's-level mental health professionals or students, specific to play therapy.

Credits are offered and awarded to participants who attend the event in its entirety and complete and submit an evaluation.

ILAPT offers continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 99-076 maintains responsibility for the program.

ILAPT has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5897. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ILAPT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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Host or Publisher Illinois Association for Play Therapy