Creative Counseling 101 Sand Tray Examples
Regulation Sand Tray

Below is my regulation sand tray. It has a painted blue bottom and sides. It is covered with an acrylic paint to protect it from water.

I am sad to say that I did purchase this sand tray for $150.00.  However, you do not need to make the same mistake I made. You can make your own sand tray. See how to make your own sand tray on this website.

My students in my sand tray therapy class are required to make their own sand tray. This creates an incredible bonding experience with the sand tray and the student.

Wet Sand Tray Therapy Example

When I have a sand tray therapy client that wants to experience the wet sand tray I use this cheap plastic bin as the sand tray. It is very close to the regulation sand tray size. The sides are low which is excellent for use in the sand tray.

I do not like to use my expensive regulation sand tray therapy tray for wet purposes. I prefer to pull out the plastic sand tray. My regulation sand tray therapy tray is supposed to be able to handle water. However, it does leak and this can cause warping to the sand tray therapy tray.

This wet sand tray therapy tray is great for water. It is easy to carry outside. The sand can stay in the sand tray therapy tray. I find that once the play sand gets wet it changes texture for quite some time and needs to be reworked.

I prefer to use two major sand trays for sand tray therapy. I have several small sand tray therapy trays for group.

My Miniature Sand Tray Collection

This is my entire collection of sand tray therapy miniatures. I have had bigger collections in the past, but find that this amount of sand tray therapy miniatures are ideal for my sand tray therapy client's to use.

With this amount of sand tray therapy miniatures I am not hoarding items in the play therapy room. I have room for other creative counseling tools such as puppets, doll houses, stable, pirate ship, books, etc.

My miniature sand tray therapy collection is labeled in clear bins for clients to see through. I encourage sand tray therapy clients to look through the bins and take what they need to make the sand tray picture.

After the sand tray therapy session is over, I take the sand tray therapy tray down and place the items in the labeled container. The space is much more organized than the way I have had it in the past.

My breakable items are on the top shelves. I sort them according to the category (Fearful, Fairytale, Holiday, Animals, People, Etc.).

Sand Tray Therapy Examples to Sand Tray Therapy
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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.