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"Sandplay is a nonverbal, nonrational form of therapy that reaches a
profound preverbal level of the psyche." Weinrib, Images of the Self,
l983
While sandplay can be used as a therapeutic method in and of itself (and may
be particularly useful for those who are too young or too traumatized to
verbalize clearly ‘what hurts’), it also is a very valuable adjunct to verbal
analysis or counseling for any number of emotional problems.
Sandplay Therapy, as developed by Dora Kalff, began with respect for Jung’s
basic hypothesis, that there is a fundamental drive toward wholeness and healing
in the human psyche. With this in mind, Kalff set out to create an environment
which would allow the client a "free and protected space". This is provided via
the structure of the sandtrays themselves, by the arrangement of the room, and
most important, by the attitude of the therapist. The intent of the therapist is
to observe the sandplay construction process without making judgments, to accept
this process unconditionally, and to be guided only by her own observations and
those of the participant. Interpretations are not usually offered at the time
the pictures are created. This allows the participant to safely journey, via
images created by the unconscious, into feelings, memories or other material
which might be blocked or misunderstood when attempts are made to ‘talk about
it’.
The creation of images, both consciously and unconsciously, also allows the
participant and the therapist to identify new possibilities or directions in
understanding a particular problem, emotional issue, or decision. This results
in change, often at a very deep level.
Pictures are not necessarily made at every meeting, and may, in fact, only be
made occasionally. Sandplay pictures may enhance or even promote helpful dream
images; and dream images may appear anew or be ‘played out’ in the sand in a way
which adds to their usefulness in promoting emotional healing.
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