This 3-day training provides an introduction to the Expressive Therapies approach to Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Work (and forms Workshop One of the 12 day Certificate course). The method of Sandplay that will be introduced was developed by Dora Kalff in the late 1950s, from Dr Margaret Lowenfeld’s play therapy. Kalff, a colleague of the famous Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, created sandplay based on Analytic Psychology. Sandplay is now taught and practised around the world, supported by the International Society for Sandplay Therapy. Students can continue their training through the full twelve days of the Certificate in Sandplay Therapy.

The Expressive Therapies approach combines Jungian and Gestalt theory and applies this to working with small symbolic objects, either in a sandtray or on a drawing book. The play aspect of this approach makes it inviting and non-threatening. Sandplay has an important role in helping clients deal with emotional problems and can be incorporated into traditional counselling with children, adolescents and adults. It can offer ways to help clients resolve family issues, contact and deepen personal resourcefulness, and promote emotional resiliency. It is an effective support for transpersonal exploration.

Sandplay and Symbol Work exercises have been found to support insight into emotional problems - helping with the release of emotional stress that can drive acting out - and supporting clients with limited access to verbal skills. By utilising a number of intelligences - as identified by Harvard researcher Howard Gardner - activities involving the use of sand and symbols can provide a powerful means for emotional transformation and psychological healing.

A full training manual will be provided, and the optional textbook for the course is: Pearson, M., & Wilson, H. (2001) Sandplay and Symbol Work. Melbourne: ACER Press.

COMPONENTS OF THE COURSE

            • Introduction to Sandplay Therapy and Symbol Work

                - practical experience, history and theory

            • Overview of literature

            • Role-play techniques to support integration

            • Input on sandplay equipment

            • Contraindications for use of symbolic work and role-play