Sand trays are a powerful and expressive tool often used in play therapy, particularly for children who may struggle to articulate their feelings and experiences through words alone. At Circle Psychology Partners in Southeast London, several of our child psychotherapists incorporate sand trays into their therapeutic practice, offering a safe and creative space for children to explore their inner worlds.

Sand trays allow children to create scenes or stories using a tray filled with sand and a variety of miniature figures, toys, and objects. The child selects and arranges these items in the sand, often guided by their emotions and thoughts, to create a visual representation of their inner world. This process is deeply symbolic and can reveal underlying issues, conflicts, and emotions that the child may not be able to verbalize.

How Are Sand Trays Used in Play Therapy?

In a sand tray session, the therapist provides a tray filled with sand and a selection of miniatures, which might include people, animals, buildings, vehicles, trees, and other objects. The child is invited to use the sand and these items to create a scene that reflects their thoughts, feelings, or experiences. There is no right or wrong way to use the sand tray—children are encouraged to express themselves freely, without judgment or expectation.

The therapist observes the child’s choices and the scene they create, paying attention to themes, patterns, and symbolic meanings. For example, a child might create a scene that represents a conflict at home, fears about school, or feelings of loss or abandonment. Through the process of building and narrating their sand tray scenes, children can gain insight into their emotions and experiences, often leading to breakthroughs in understanding and healing.

Therapeutic Benefits of Sand Tray Therapy

Sand tray therapy offers several benefits, particularly for children who find it difficult to express themselves verbally:

• Non-verbal expression: Sand trays allow children to communicate complex emotions and experiences without needing to find the right words.
• Safe distance: The symbolic nature of sand tray therapy creates a safe distance between the child and their feelings, making it easier to explore difficult or painful experiences.
• Empowerment: By controlling the scene in the sand tray, children can experiment with solutions to their problems, giving them a sense of empowerment and control.
• Insight and healing: The process of creating and discussing sand tray scenes can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional release, and healing.

Play Therapy at Circle Psychology Partners

At Circle Psychology Partners, several of our therapists are trained in using sand trays for therapy and regularly incorporate this technique into their sessions with children. Our new practice, opening soon, will feature dedicated two therapy rooms with space for our therapists to use sand trays in play therapy sessions. If you believe your child could benefit from play therapy, we encourage you to reach out and learn more about how we can support your child’s journey toward healing and growth.