Symbols and Sandplay Workshop

Course overview:

Sandplay allows for the projective expression of one's personal inner world. Learn how to respectfully invite the creation of miniature scenes and stories that help clients see, know and change. This two day experiential workshop introduces you to approaches and applications of sandplay. Work with a range of clients and therapeutic contexts will be considered. Sandplay is a powerful therapeutic method that has been around for nearly 100 years. It is a form of therapy that gives both child and adult clients the opportunity to portray, rather than verbalise, feelings and experiences often inaccessible and/or difficult to express. Its origins were in the work of Jung and Kalff who were analytically orientated. Current research has demonstrated successful use in shorter term strengths-based approaches with traumatised refugees, reducing measures of anxiety and depression, and with autistic children, increasing verbal expression, social interaction and spontaneous novel play. In the free and protected space provided by the counsellor, a client creates a concrete manifestation of his or her inner world using sand, water, and miniature objects.

This two day workshop introduces you to the fundamental theoretical and methodological concepts in the practice of symbols and sandplay work. It will include an overview of the major theoretical influences in this field, the existing evidence base supporting it and a review of contemporary applications. The focus of the workshop will be an experiential and practical introduction to a range of directive and non-directive methods to engage and work with this media in counselling.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Identify the theoretical basis of working with symbols (including Jungian, Narrative, Humanist, Gestalt perspectives)
• Consider the evidence
• Practise person-centred counselling skills
• Integrate the use of creative therapies into counselling
• Consider appropriate developmental, practical and therapeutic benefits and limits
• Practically experience the therapeutic uses
• Consider practical ways to build an appropriate symbol collection
• Learn in the safety and support of a small group

Who Should Attend?

Psychologists, social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists, school counsellors, mental health and pastoral workers, other allied health professionals and students of these disciplines. No artistic experience or skill is necessary. Provisional psychologists can attend at student rates.

Workshop Facilitator

Jacki Short - Counselling Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist