Sand Tray Therapy Warm Up for Clients: My Zen Garden Experience

by Sand Tray Therapy Student

This is my Zen sand tray therapy warm up project. I found this sand tray therapy assignment exciting because my supervisors’ offices have Zen garden’s in them and I ‘play’ with them all the time. I was excited to make my own that I could one day put in my own office. I often find myself playing with these whenever I come across one. I looked at several different places for a small empty wooden box appropriate for a Zen garden. My search was fruitless. However, I got the idea while out shopping for a Zen tray that I could possibly use a picture frame, as long as I removed the glass of course.

I thought I had just the one at home, but I thought it appeared to be a little too big after closer inspection. I then turned to a gift I received from play therapy class last semester. A little play pool table looked to be just the right size. I filled it with sand and, viola! Zen garden! Not only did I like the versatility of being able to use it for two purposes, but the bottom was green which I thought was an interesting twist.

I added a few smooth rocks to my sand tray therapy zen garden and made a neat little rake out of toothpicks. I wanted to add some greenery so I set outside to find something that would create the soothing feeling desired from a Zen garden. I looked and could not find anything that really stuck out to me, but then on my way back inside, resigned to just using a rake and rocks, I saw a little patch of clovers.

I was instantly brought back to my childhood. I remembered that I loved to search patches of clovers for what seemed like hours as a child looking for four leafed clovers and usually found one. While I no longer have time to look for a four leafed clover, I still enjoy their simplicity and symmetry. I already know the power of the Sand Tray Therapy Zen garden and look forward to having one of my own on my desk on the future.

While I am a little disappointed that I could not create the Zen garden I wanted, I will keep my eyes peeled for the perfect Zen garden tray. I also really liked Dr. S’s idea of using different rakes, and greenery in the Zen garden.

More Ideas for Play Therapy Link:

More Ideas on Play Therapy


How to Use The Sand Tray for Sand Tray Therapy Link:

More Ideas on Sand Tray Therapy



For more free ideas on creative therapy visit the link below:

Creative Counseling 101.com Home