sand play

Ever heard of sand play therapy?

Apparently, it is a non-intrusive form of play therapy that allows children (or adults) to play out what is happening in their world. The therapist provides a sand tray, water, miniature objects and materials so that the child can imaginatively create scenes in the circumscribed space of the sand tray. The scene of picture that is constructed is a reflection of the child's inner and outer worlds and an expression of both conscious and unconscious thoughts.

One of the school counsellors at my female owner's placement specialises in sand tray. Her clients are mostly primary school children. Ever open to new ideas, my female owner decided to take up her offer to have a sand play session.

It turned out to be psychodynamic in practice. My female owner chose certain items from the shelf and arranged them in the sand tray (see her creation below). The counsellor then guided her to tell the story behind each placement. My female owner could see for herself how her story was an extension of her personality, inner thoughts and current concerns.

My female owner told her story before the counselor revealed what each region of the sand tray meant. The centre: Self. Left bottom: Sub-conscious. Left top: Religion or spirituality. Right top: Relationship with earthly father/ future. Right: Relationship with earthly mother. Right bottom: Relationships.

Eerie but true… my female owner’s story tallied with the various domains. Specifically, she pointed out the tiger as being her mother and the group of turtles as a group of friends. Notice that little orange turtle which is buried in the sand too? That placement is hard to relate to any domain I suppose. She saw herself as being on the boat, about to go out to explore things… and the top right, she expressed distressed that it was empty, glaringly empty. The sub-conscious domain was hard to explain. My female owner said that she didn’t know why she put leaves and pebbles there, but she pictured nature as she placed things there. When asked fast nature (e.g. wind) or still, she said, it was still. Hmm… Perhaps she is at peace at this period of time. The spiritual side, represented by the relaxed dog. Wahaha. Lazy Christian? The counselor didn’t draw any reference to religion but suggested that spiritually, she is calm and relaxed.

The thing about psychodynamic is that any interpretation can be correct, and you are often trying to find explanations that fit what your story is. Nonetheless, my female owner was astonished at the accurate tally of her story and most of the domains.