SandStory Therapy®

A sand tray and symbols are common place in my therapy room and can be used as part of my usual Play and Creative Arts Therapy sessions. However I also offer SandStory Therapy sessions which utilise the sand tray and symbols alone, in a more structured way, to enable clients to tell their own story. This is most suited to children and young people over the age of 8, although the specific skills are also used within non-directive sand tray work in my therapy sessions, as well as within supervision, to help the individual gain a greater understanding or alternative viewpoint.

SandStory Therapy® has deep roots in the narrative tradition of Storytelling, Sandplay and Sandtray Therapy. The latter was developed by Margaret Lowenfeld in the early part of her work in the 1920's.

At its heart, SandStory Therapy® offers a container of support to the Therapist - in particular, their ability to remain grounded in their own presence and be fully present each moment to their client. This approach allows the Therapist to attune exquisitely to their client's needs and pace which  enables empowerment and growth for the client. 

SandStory Therapy® offers a gentle, safe and unique way of using sand and symbols in a contained tray to support a client's process... so that they can 'tell their story in the sand'; whilst encouraging a respectful and sensitive dialogue between the unconscious and the conscious so that the wisdom from within is heard, seen and experienced. In turn, this is taken into daily life and natural, very organic shifts occur.

(Taken from SandStory.org)