The Use of the Labyrinth in Sand Tray Therapy

The labyrinth has been around for centuries in many different cultures and religions. It has been used outside in very large settings.

It can also be drawn on a paper, or downloaded and copied on paper.

I use a labyrinth as a client warm up in the sand tray. This helps my clients get used to the sand tray process. They enjoy the warm touch of the sand and the ability to manipulate and control the sand.

A labyrinth can help your client focus and get in touch with their spiritual side. It can help a client find balance in their life.

The labyrinth is clearly not a maze because a maze is created to trick the mind. The labyrinth has openings and many ways to escape.

With the labyrinth the client simply begins to relax. When they relax they start talking and thus begin the therapeutic process. It is very important to begin the therapy session with a warm up.

A therapist can actually see their client relax the first few minutes of the labyrinth warm up.

There are those that believe that the labyrinth is an opening to the collective unconscious. I believe that there are many ways to open this portal to the mind.

The sand tray is also a way to open the collective unconscious. Labyrinths can be purchased online. They can be made from wood and the client simply follows their finger from the beginning to the end of the labyrinth, and then back through it again.

There is also a dual labyrinth called the “Therapist Board” in which two labyrinths are laid side by side and the therapist completes the one side of the labyrinth, while the client completes the other side of the labyrinth. The two warm up together, in sync.

My favorite way to do the labyrinth is in the sand tray. Quite often, before a session I will draw a labyrinth with my finger in a blank sand tray.

I will offer this labyrinth to the client to see if I can encourage the client to try the labyrinth in the sand tray. What I find is that the client will continue on to do an actual sand tray to expand on the therapy process.

Labyrinth to Labyrinth Sand Tray Warm Ups

Labyrinth Sand Tray Therapy Warm Up to Creative Counseling 101 Home

Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.