Sandtray Therapy Class- Anger Management Sand Tray - Student #1 - Charity S.

by Charity Simpson
(Sand Tray Therapy Student Atlanta, GA)

I feel that this anger management sand tray truly challenged me as it demanded such transparency from me as a builder. I was hesitant as my angry, perhaps mean, and even gory miniatures sought placement in my tray. I was fine with the miniatures themselves but could not be sure that they fully captured the many years of unresolved anger and conflict still needing attention and processing in my psyche. However, as I began to connect with these miniatures, I saw the angry world develop around them. I saw the fire grow and encompass the entire tray such that it could no longer be contained. This raging anger covered nearly every inch of the tray and left nothing in the world untouched as symbolized with the red and orange sand covering the world.

Due to such anger, things have been turned upside down. The pinwheel has crashed, perhaps even cut down by knife’s blade. The trees and greenery that did exist have been overturned and buried beneath the anger. Most creatures have turned upon themselves and their own kind, illustrating the self-destruction that can occur if anger is not attended to and transformed. Even the river and sources of life appear to be dry, filled with ash, or covered in the blood that has been shed as a result of this overwhelming anger.

Finally, Terry Taranteenarms witnesses the destruction from the background. He sees the devastation occurring and appears to be horrified at the situation yet helpless to act. I think it is important to maintain a sense of awareness regarding the destructive path our emotions can take when ignored and suppressed. Nearly everything and everyone in this tray experienced defeat and destruction as a result of anger spun out of control. Sadly, the destruction each experienced was mainly the result of each one’s personal anger outwardly misdirected and crying for love, acceptance, and nurturance rather than rejection, denial, and utter destruction.