Just like a movie director selects actors, calls “Cut!”, and sets the scene, your child (or even you) might be doing the same thing in a sandtray during therapy. Sandtray therapy, also called sandplay therapy, is a powerful play therapy intervention where clients use miniature toys, figurines, and sometimes even water to build their own world inside a tray filled with sand.
Though it’s especially well-suited for children, sand tray therapy is equally helpful for teens and adults, especially those who’ve experienced trauma, loss, or challenges expressing themselves through traditional talk therapy. When words are too hard to find, the use of sand and small toys becomes a new language, one rooted in the subconscious mind and guided by the imagination.
How Does Sandtray Therapy Tap Into the Brain’s Healing Power?
When a child (or adult) takes part in sandtray play, several regions of the brain are activated. The hippocampus (responsible for learning and memory), the amygdala (emotional processing), and the prefrontal cortex (decision-making and social behavior) all play big roles in this therapeutic intervention (Foo & Freedle, 2024). What might look like simple imaginary play is actually complex neurological activity. If you’re new to the concept, this overview of what play therapy is and how it works will help you understand the foundation sandtray therapy is built on.
Whether the client is crafting castles, rivers, or chaotic battles using miniature figures or action figures, they’re building a sand picture of their inner world. These creations give form to experiences that are often buried or difficult to talk about especially for those affected by trauma, grief, anxiety, or developmental challenges.
What Does the Therapist Do During a Sandtray Session?
At Crossroads Collective, sandtray therapy is never about guessing what the toys mean. Instead, the client chooses figures that resonate with them, allowing unique, personal meanings to emerge from their subconscious. Our job as mental health professionals is to hold a safe space, watch, listen, and gently guide reflection.
There are three main ways a sandplay therapist observes during sessions:
- What toys or miniature figures the client selects
Whether they choose a dragon, doll, or soldier, the figures often reflect internal struggles or strengths. For one child, a dragon might represent fear. For another, it could symbolize protection. Sandtray is representative, not interpretive. - How they use the sand and interact with the scene
We watch how they sculpt valleys, build mountains, or bury objects. Facial expressions, body posture, and positioning all signal emotional processing. Kids might use wet sand to smooth things out or connect different parts of their scene, which might show that something is coming together or starting to change. - The overall structure of the sandtray world
Some children place central figures in the middle, often revealing the main focus of their story. Others organize toys in a line (suggesting agency) or a circle (symbolizing communion). These placements are filled with clues that help us understand how the child or teen sees their world.
Is This Just for Kids? Do Adults Benefit Too?
Absolutely. While sandplay therapy is commonly associated with child psychology, it has shown promise for teens and adults, especially those with language or developmental difficulties, trauma, or emotional distress. Adults who’ve experienced abuse or loss may find that creating sandtray pictures offers them a way to process feelings without needing to speak. For parents wondering about the impact on younger children, this guide to the benefits of play therapy for children offers helpful insight.
The World Technique, one of the most common techniques in sandtray therapy, was developed in the 1920s by Dr. Margaret Lowenfeld, a pioneering British child psychologist. Later, Swiss therapist Dora Kalff expanded the practice into what we now know as sandplay, grounding it in Jungian theory. Her approach emphasizes the symbolic, healing power of the subconscious, something that still shapes how many therapists practice today.
Does Sandtray Therapy Really Help With Trauma?
Absolutely and in ways that might surprise you. When you’ve been through something overwhelming, it is hard to talk about it, especially when the feelings are buried deep. Sandtray therapy gives you (or your child) a gentle, creative way to work through painful memories, without needing the right words. It’s especially helpful for children who struggle to explain their emotions, this article explains how play therapy helps kids express their feelings when talking isn’t easy.
The tray becomes a world of its own, where clients express big feelings, revisit tough moments, and even reshape their stories in a way that feels safe and empowering. Research shows that sandplay therapy reduces anxiety, improve behavior, and help children process trauma through something called post-traumatic play, a natural way the brain begins to heal (PubMed, 2021).
Whether you’re grieving a loss, recovering from a traumatic experience, or simply feeling stuck, sandtray work offers a safe space to begin moving forward one small figure at a time.
What Should I Look for in a Sandtray Therapist?
A strong therapeutic relationship is important. The therapist should be a licensed mental health professional with training in sandtray techniques. Many therapists pursue certification in sandtray therapy, which may include 120+ hours of sandplay training. It’s okay to ask questions like:
- “Have you worked with sandtray therapy before?”
- “Do you usually work with kids, teens, or adults?”
- “What do you do to make sure the space feels safe and comfortable during sessions?”
At Crossroads Collective, our sandtray therapists are dedicated to creating compassionate, accepting spaces where creative expression is encouraged and every story matters.
How Long Does Sandtray Therapy Take?
Sandplay might be brief or long-term. Some children may benefit from just a few sessions; others might explore their inner world over several months or even years. It depends on the client’s comfort, goals, and what emerges during the process.
The pace is guided by the individual, not the clock. And unlike some other forms of therapy, sandtray allows clients to heal through images, sensations, and symbols, bypassing the need to “explain everything.”
Want to Help Your Child (or Yourself) Feel Understood, Without Needing the Right Words?
At Crossroads Collective, we believe that everyone deserves a space to be seen, heard, and understood, even without words. Whether you’re seeking play therapy for your child or exploring new options like art therapy or sandplay therapy for yourself, we’re here to help you begin that journey.
As a counselor, I (Jane Kloosterhof) work to create a safe and supportive space where clients of all ages can process their emotions, build resilience, and develop strategies for managing life’s ups and downs. Together, we will begin the process of healing.
Discover how sandtray therapy can open new paths to emotional growth.
Take the First Step Toward Healing Today
If you or your child is struggling to express big emotions, you don’t have to do it alone. Sandtray therapy offers a gentle, imaginative way to explore feelings, process trauma, and begin healing, without needing the perfect words.
At Crossroads Collective, our team of caring, experienced therapists is here to walk beside you. We create a safe space where you or your child will feel supported, seen, and understood.
Ready to get started? Book your appointment today, or reach out to us with any questions. Let’s begin building clarity, confidence, and calm, one handful of sand at a time.
FAQs About Sandtray Therapy
What is sandtray therapy?
Sandtray therapy is a type of play-based therapeutic approach where you or your child use a tray filled with sand and toy figures to create scenes that reflect thoughts, feelings, or memories. It’s a gentle way to express your own inner world, especially when words are hard to find.
How is it different from traditional therapy?
Unlike traditional therapy, which often relies on talking, sandtray therapy is more visual and hands-on. Therapy may involve storytelling, imagination, and movement as clients build scenes that reflect what’s going on inside.
Who benefits from sandtray therapy?
This treatment may help children with behavioral problems, teens going through tough transitions, or adults dealing with trauma or anxiety. It’s also great for anyone who finds it hard to open up in words. Therapy may be especially helpful for those recovering from grief, loss, or difficult life experiences.
Where did sandtray therapy come from?
The method was first created by Margaret Lowenfeld, a British child psychologist, in the 1920s. Later, Dora Kalff, a Swiss therapist, expanded on her ideas and created what’s now called sandplay therapy, which is deeply connected to Jungian therapy and the use of symbolism in healing.
Is this just for kids, or should adults try it too?
Not at all! Sandtray therapy based work is powerful for people of all ages including adults who’ve experienced trauma or loss. Many adults use it to incorporate their past experiences into a new, more empowered story.
Is this type of therapy time consuming?
Not necessarily. While some people see benefits after just a few sessions, others may continue for months depending on their needs. This treatment isn’t rushed, it moves at your pace in a safe environment.
What makes sandtray therapy effective?
This method allows clients to express things they may not be able to say out loud. Therapy may reduce anxiety, improve behavior, and help people process difficult experiences. Even adding something like water to the sand might reflect change and growth.
Is there a professional organization that supports this therapy?
Yes! The International Society for Sandplay Therapy helps guide standards and education around this unique therapeutic approach. Many trained therapists around the world follow the practices originally inspired by Margaret Lowenfeld and Dora Kalff.
Is sandtray therapy part of a bigger system?
Yes it’s considered an umbrella term for a variety of methods that involve symbolic play in sand. While some versions are more clinical, others are more creative or Jungian therapy influenced. Each therapist may incorporate different tools depending on what’s best for you or your child.
By Jane Kloosterhof, Intern Counselor at Crossroads Collective
