Adults and children will both benefit from the non-verbal directions given during sandtray therapy. By working in a wooden sand tray that measures 19.5 by 28.5 by 3.5 inches tall, which is the standard established by Dora Kalff, the tray allows clients to encompass their field of vision which essentially becomes their world. The tray used in our office was hand crafted by a local Conifer wood worker and is painted blue on the inside to depict water and sky as shown by the industry standard.
By using the sandtray each client uses a large, carefully chosen collection of miniatures to build a scene in a sandtray under a therapist's guidance. From here, the client explores his/her personal meaning of the scene. Using these unconscious tools, the healing comes from 'within the client' and a very deep level of work begins thru art therapy, rather than traditional "talk therapy".
Sandtray is a useful mode of therapy for children, adults and couples. It was derived by Dora Kalff in the 1950's and 60's. Sand tray methods can also be used with groups of people and has specifically been found helpful for clients dealing with grief and loss as well as those with blockages surrounding their addictions.
