Using Sandtray in Therapy
What is Sandtray Therapy?
Sandtray is a powerful, experiential tool in therapy that uses a sand tray and miniature figurines to help individuals express, process, and explore their inner world. While sandtray is sometimes associated with play therapy, it’s important to recognize that creative expression and imaginative exploration are deeply healing for adults as well. Just as tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons allow players to step into different roles and explore emotions in a safe, structured way, or how character creation and world-building in video games provide a sense of control and self-expression, working in a sandtray offers a similar space for processing emotions. By creating scenes in the sand, clients can engage with their inner world in a hands-on, symbolic way, making sense of complex emotions, experiences, and even traumatic memories. This approach offers a tangible, immersive way to work through feelings that might be difficult to express with words, leading to profound healing and insight.
What to Expect in a Sandtray Session
Sessions are client-led, meaning you have the freedom to interact with the sand and objects in a way that feels natural to you. You might create a detailed, structured scene, or you may simply move sand around, noticing what feelings arise. My role is to help you engage with what unfolds in a way that deepens insight and healing.
The process can be surprisingly revealing, often leading to emotional shifts and new perspectives. Many clients describe feeling lighter and more settled after working in the tray, even when they weren’t sure what to expect going in.
Is Sandtray Therapy Right for You?
Do you struggle to put your emotions into words?
Do you feel stuck in talk therapy and want a new way to process your experiences?
Are you open to creative, experiential ways of exploring your inner world?
If any of this resonates, incorporating sandtray into your therapy sessions may be a helpful path for your healing. If you're curious about whether this could be a good fit, feel free to reach out for a consultation.
How Does Sandtray Work in Therapy?
In a session, you’ll use the sand and miniature objects to create a scene that reflects your inner experiences—whether that’s your emotions, relationships, challenges, or hopes. As your therapist, I’ll guide you in exploring what shows up, helping you notice patterns, emotions, and meanings that emerge. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to engage with the tray—it’s simply a space where your subconscious can express itself in a way that feels natural and safe.
Because sandtray engages both the rational and emotional parts of the brain, it allows for deeper processing without needing to rely entirely on words. Sometimes, a scene may evolve over the course of a session, reflecting emotional shifts as new insights emerge. Other times, it may serve as a way to externalize something you’re struggling to hold inside, making it easier to process.
What Kinds of Issues Can Sandtray Help With?
Sandtray can be helpful for a wide range of concerns, including:
Trauma and PTSD – Providing a safe, contained way to explore and process difficult memories without verbal retraumatization.
Anxiety and Stress – Offering a grounding, mindful way to externalize worries and find new perspectives.
Grief and Loss – Allowing space to express complex emotions that may feel overwhelming or difficult to put into words.
Self-Exploration and Identity Work – Supporting deeper understanding of oneself, including experiences related to gender identity, neurodivergence, and personal growth.
Relationship Challenges – Exploring dynamics and emotions tied to past and present relationships in a way that feels safe and contained.
This tool is particularly effective for clients who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy, struggle to find words for their experiences, or feel emotionally overwhelmed when trying to process difficult memories.