Should I be certified in Play Therapy, or Sand Tray Therapy?

by Play Therapist and Sand Tray Therapist Seeking Information

Thanks for your message regarding supervision in sand tray therapy. As a counselor supervisor in Georgia I can only write about the laws in my state. I am not certified in sand tray, however, I use it (for the past ten years) and teach it at Mercer University in Atlanta to graduate counseling students. I have had many trainings in the sand tray and encourage my sand tray students to continue the training in the sand tray and play therapy. Actually, I would consider the genogram part of the "miniature world" training. Sand tray training can be helpful when working with miniatures. In my mind the miniatures are a "world of their own."

I am not an art therapist (as is your social worker who you say is not an art therapist but is using art therapy). The art therapist say you must be certified in art therapy to use crayons, markers, paint, etc. That is why I call my art with clients "art counseling". I would hope that your social worker is seeking supervision in some for of art counseling. The art therapist will unusually not allow licensed counselors to attend workshops (I have tried to attend them in the past and have been told "no".). I would encourage you both to get as much training as you can in art counseling.

I am also not certified in play therapy, but have over 110 hours of training. I can still do play therapy and call myself a play therapist. I cannot call myself a registered play therapist. I continue to attend workshops and one day hope to get my 150 hours of CEU's in to become registered.

I always encourage people to get certified in sand tray therapy, or play therapy. However, as therapist we cannot be certified in everything. When we have clients that need our help, we must seek supervision in the area that they need help in. If we cannot help them we must refer out. It is also expensive to get certified in "everything." I have found that if I continue to get training in the many therapeutic arenas I am a better therapist. I don't put all my eggs in one basket. I seek supervision everywhere.

As a licensed professional you have the right to seek supervision and use a genogram. My suggestion would be to check with your governing agency that holds your license to make sure. There are many therapist out there that do not seek any training as you are seeking training visiting my website for ideas. I commend you for your ability to seek further knowledge to help your clients.

I hope this helps. Keep me posted.

Thanks!

Dr. Stangline


Creative
Counseling 101

Written & Illustrated by Dr. Michelle Stangline, Ed.D., L.P.C.



Creative
Counseling 101

Written & Illustrated by Dr. Michelle Stangline, Ed.D., L.P.C.



On Wed, Mar 28, 2012 at 9:56 PM, wrote:

On Wed Mar 28 18:39:30 2012, the following results were submitted from the "Contact Me" on creativecounseling101.com:


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