Sand, Symbols, and Healing: Introduction to Sandtray Play Therapy

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), in partnership with The Next Place Therapy Services, are pleased to offer Sand, Symbols, and Healing: Introduction to Sandtray Play Therapy for Clinicians.

This training will introduce participants to the world of Sandtray Play Therapy. Sandtray therapy is a powerful technique that can be used with children, teens, adults, families, and couples in play therapy sessions. Whether using a directive or non-directive approach, it is a fun tool to incorporate into play therapy sessions.

Participants will actively learn to explore ways to use sandtray play therapy interventions and techniques effectively with clients of all ages through hands-on activities, role-plays, and case discussions. By the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped with practical skills and strategies to integrate play therapy into their practice while fostering cultural humility and intersectionality in their therapeutic approach.

At the conclusion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the origin and history of sandtray therapy and how it relates to play therapy.
• Describe the difference between sandtray and sandplay therapy, two distinct sandtray work approaches.
• Find the therapeutic value of sandtrays as a powerful technique to incorporate into play therapy sessions with clients.
• Discuss the process for creating a physical and virtual sandtray in play therapy sessions.
• Create sandtrays to support clients in play therapy sessions.
• Understand how to organize miniatures in the play therapy session.

Who should register:

This training is available to all school-based behavioral health providers (social workers, school psychologists, community-based organization clinicians, counselors, Department of Behavioral Health school-based clinicians) placed at DC public and public charter schools. Participants placed in a school will recieve a beginners sandtray therapy kit for their school as a part of their participation.

Registrants who are not eligible school-based providers will have their registrations canceled.

Host or Publisher OSSE Healthy Schools and Wellness Programs Team