Sandplay Therapy: A Step-By-Step Manual for Psychotherapists of Diverse Orientations

By Barbara Labovitz Boik and E. Anna Goodwin

Book Overview

Sandplay utilizes a small tray of wet or dry sand, in which clients create scenes using miniature objects--a nonverbal communication of their internal and external worlds. For therapists interested in exploring the ways that sandplay facilitates growth and healing and in expanding their reservoir of therapeutic tools by incorporating sandplay into their practices, this practical handbook will be an invaluable resource.

After presenting the history and benefits of sandplay, the authors describe how to create a sandplay therapy room, including choosing sand containers, finding evocative objects, and displaying objects appropriately. They provide detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to conduct spontaneous and directed sandplay therapy sessions with individuals, couples, children, and families.

Various ways of recording the creation of a sand world are described, so that both the process and the product will be saved even after the sand tray is dismantled.Not only does the book establish the foundation for incorporating sandplay into the reader's current psychotherapeutic practice, but it will also stimulate the creative process of the professional. Like the client who sees internal and interpersonal dynamics and dilemmas pictured in the sand, the therapist will find that this powerful experiential tool reveals insights, information, and avenues to explore.

The authors illustrate the process with numerous sandplay experiences with clients. They also discuss clients for whom sandplay is contraindicated and some problems that might arise. To encourage the growth of the therapist, they include instructions on personal sandplay work.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393703193
• ISBN13: 9780393703191
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Sandplay Therapy..A Step-By-Step Manual For Psychotherapists Of Diverse Orientations

I am a therapist who has used SandTray for over 23 years. This particular book offers clear and uncluttered information concerning the power of the tool of Sandplay in therapy. It is well written and offers several ways to use Sandtray in working with clients. The book has outline reviews at the ends of the chapters that are quite helpful in clarifying the chapter's key points. I recommend the book to therapists wishing to add to their body of knowledge. The book also stresses a most important issue.......the need for therapists to DO their own Sandtray work and to experience the power of the tool firsthand. Claudia Alonzo, M.A., LMFT

Sand Tray Therapy for all counseliing approaches

This book covers all aspects of sandtray therapy. It demonstrates how it can be applied to many counseling modalities. It is well-organized. I enjoyed it immensely and will use it to create my own sand tray equipment.

Excellent overview

A clear step by step guide to using sandplay, outlining a variety of directed and non-directed options for individuals, couples, families, and children. I referred to this book prior to and after attending personal training. A wonderful orientation to the set up and practice of sandplay.

Wonderful Resource for Therapists new to Sandplay/ Sandtray

This is a fabulous resource for those who want to start using sandplay in their work with clients. The techniques that they offer do not rely on an understanding of Jungian theory. The information is very practical and immediately useful. It provides detailed information about working with non-directed trays, as well as ideas for directed trays. It also addresses issues in using sandplay with children as well as adults and couples. This book has thrown wide-open the door of possibilities. Highly Recommended!!!