Sandtray Play Therapy is a powerful, creative approach that helps children, teens, and adults express experiences that can be difficult to put into words. Using a tray of sand and a wide variety of miniature figures, clients create scenes or “worlds” that reflect inner thoughts, emotions, and lived experiences. This process offers a safe, symbolic way to communicate what may feel overwhelming or inaccessible through conversation alone.

Sandtray therapy allows the unconscious to emerge gently and at the client’s pace. Rather than explaining painful emotions or memories, clients show them through images and placement, while the therapist provides support in exploring meaning and patterns that arise. The tactile experience of working with sand can be calming, helping regulate the nervous system and reduce stress.

This approach supports emotional regulation, resilience, and self-awareness, and can be especially helpful for processing trauma, grief, or major life transitions. While widely used with children, sandtray therapy is equally effective for teens and adults who benefit from expressive, body-based, and visual forms of healing.