Video critique of Sandplay Therapy with Barbara Turner Student #4 Summer 2013.

by Graduate Student
(Sandy Springs)

In Sandplay Therapy with Barbara Turner, Dr. Barbara Turner tells us all about sandtray therapy. Sandtray therapy was originally developed for children because it utilizes their natural language of play. It has recently been discovered that it works for both children and adults. Dr. Turner shows us both dry and wet sand, because it gives variety and options for both preferences.

Dr. Turner tells us how clients using the sand tray goes into a world. She demonstrates how an adult would engage in sandtray therapy. Adults initially might feel self conscious, but after awhile they get immersed into their world of the tray. Dr. Turner tells us about how children really facilitated the foundation of the world of sandtrays.

In this sand tray / sand play video we learn of how to go about facilitating the tray. It is important to not analyze, and allow the client to guide the session. The therapist must be trained and really know how to use the tray. Clients come in that have been abused, harassed, and have many other issues. Therapists need to be able to pick up on warning signs. The miniatures are powerful, the sand effective, however, without an effective therapist, the sandtray can not be truly effective.

There are various guidelines that need to be followed when utilizing sandtray as a therapeutic tool. The International Society of Sand Tray is

I believe that Dr. Turner offers a fantastic look at the way sandtray therapy functions, and the benefits that it brings to clients. Her explanation of the history of the tray really lays down a foundation of how everything works, both in adults and children. The sandtray truly gives clients the freedom to be who they are. There world is their world, and there is no wrong way for them to engage the tray. The tray is a safe place.