Sand Tray Therapy

sand tray therapy, sand tray, tray sand, sand tray sand

What is sand tray therapy?

Sand tray therapy is a highly therapeutic and multidimensional form of therapy that can provide emotional release and realisation at a deep level, by inviting you to construct a picture in the sand tray using miniature toys and small objects.

A safe environment

  • The sand tray environment is a safe and protected space, which means that you are free to do whatever you want.
  • Sand tray therapy doesn’t require any artistic skill to have a satisfying experience—only selecting and placing objects in the tray.
  • You can manipulate or change the sand tray by adding, subtracting, or moving objects within the scene.
  • The sand in the tray can also be shifted to make an evocative landscape.
counselling in plymouth

Using sand tray in counselling

Using sand tray in counselling

Mini sand tray with shells

There are many components of sand tray that make it an effective therapeutic tool when used as part of counselling and psychotherapy:

  • Sand tray therapy occurs within specific boundaries of time and space.
  • The scene created in the sand tray can act as a reflection of your life.
  • The images created in sand tray therapy are concrete and tangible, rather than invisible and intangible. For example, in sand tray therapy, you can use objects and miniatures within it to represent true people and events.
  • Sand tray therapy can help you to tell stories and make sense of events.
  • The themes which emerge from your creation in the sand tray can help you gain new insights into your problems and look at things from different perspectives.
  • Sand tray therapy allows you the opportunity to resolve conflicts, remove obstacles, and gain acceptance of self.
  • While the sand play process may involve creating a series of trays and might last for months or years, change can be experienced in just one sand tray session.

Client testimonial

“I have been going to Frances now for 3 years to have counselling and it has changed my life immensely! Frances is very calm and accommodating for all your needs and has the ability to create an environment where you can feel at ease.  She also facilitates sand tray therapy which I think is really unique and not something I had ever seen before – it’s a great tool to access the deeper thoughts/feelings of your mind.  By working with her I feel I’ve been able to explore and express parts of myself without judgement and would highly recommend her to anyone”. Chelsea

You can read more about the evidence and benefits of sand tray therapy here.

Healing Grief, Loss, Bereavement and trauma

sand tray therapy for healing

Healing grief, loss, bereavement and trauma using sand tray therapy

  • Sand tray therapy can be helpful if you are dealing with grief, loss bereavement and/or trauma, when words may be difficult to utter or fully process.
  • Creating a picture in the sand tray can be a healing process that can help you to work through painful conscious or unconscious memories.
  • Physically moving representational objects within the sand tray can have a beneficial effect on the body, especially for people who experience anxiety or have undergone traumatic experiences—more so than simply talking about memories or ideas.
  • Touching the sand can be a very soothing, calming experience, offering a healing beyond what we can visibly understand.

footprints in the sand by the sea

Creative Counselling Tools and Techniques

Creative Counselling tools and techniques

photographs of loved ones and poem

In my counselling practice, I make use of a variety of creative counselling tools and techniques to help you address your difficulties.  These include:

To find out more or book a FREE initial phone consultation, please telephone Frances on 0740 865994 or send a message using the contact form

Email me!