Student #6- A Brief History of Sandtray Therapy
by Sand Tray Therapy Student
(Atlanta, Ga. USA)
The person who used and developed the sandtray therapy method was Margret Lowenfeld. She used the sand tray therapy as a living language that was used to communicate through the use of miniatures. She came up with the idea of using sand as part of therapy after reading a book called ‘Floor Games.’ The book was written by H. G. Wells and it talked about the use of miniature toys in an intricate play with his sons. Lowenfeld took that further by taking it into a metal tray filled with sand and water. The referred to the sandtrays that her child clients created as their “world” where the client was the maker and the therapist was the witness of the creation who helped to de-code what the client was trying to communicate. This technique was called the “Lowenfeld World Technique.” However, a Jungian therapist by the name of Dora Kalff was the person who expanded and popularized sandtray therapy and was the first to use the term ‘sandplay.’ Kalff saw the therapist as a mother figure in therapy and had a very nurturing role in the therpy process. She also started the concept of open shelves and believed that transference was beneficial in sessions. Another notable person in sandtray therapy history is Gisela De Domenico. She was trained directly by Dora Kalff bu developed an approached referred to as the “Sandtray Worldplay.” In her technique, she focused a great deal on ego wounds and ancestral issues. She was critical in the role of bringing in multiculturalism into snadtray therapy.
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.
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