Sometimes it’s hard to find the right words — and that’s okay. Sand Tray gives kids, teens, and even adults a creative, hands-on way to express what’s going on inside. Using a tray of sand and a collection of mini figures (think people, animals, trees, castles, dragons — you name it!), you can build a world that reflects your thoughts and feelings. The figures become a tangible representation of what you are hoping for, needing, and/or trying to convey or work through. Whether it's an event from your life, an interaction with a family member, or an internal belief stuck on repeat, Sand Tray lets you get all these things out of your head so you can view them from different perspectives, open understanding, and allow yourself to make connections you wouldn't be able to make in the one-dimensional world of your thoughts. You get to listen to and honor your needs by letting the Sand Tray do the communicating.  Sometimes participants find Sand Tray to be a non verbal or partially verbal experience, or sometimes it helps the river of words flow. Sand tray opens understanding, and allows you the opportunity to make connections you can’t make in the one dimensional world of your thoughts. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Whether you're working through something tough, feeling stuck, or just curious to explore your inner world, the sand tray becomes a safe space to be seen, understood, and supported.

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Whether you're navigating trauma, anxiety, or simply looking for a new way to explore your emotions, Sand Tray offers a powerful path to self-discovery and growth. It can also be used in conjunction with other therapeutic modalities to support your process.

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For a more official definition:
Sand tray therapy is "an expressive and projective mode of psychotherapy involving the unfolding and processing of intra- and inter-personal issues through the use of specific sand tray materials as a [mostly] non-verbal medium of communication, led by the client or therapist and facilitated by a trained therapist." (Homeyer & Sweeney, 2017, P.6)