Sandtray Therapy for Children, Teens, and Adults in Middlesex, NJ
Sandtray Therapy is an expressive and projective process which helps children, teens, and adults process their thoughts, experiences, and emotions. It offer a creative and non-verbal approach to healing, providing a safe space for individuals to express themselves, explore their inner worlds, and find paths to personal growth and well-being.
Sandtray Therapy consists of a tray of sand and carefully selected miniatures that the client uses to create their world. True Reflections Mental Health Services has a round and rectangular sand tray available. We also offer different types of sand available such as Jurrasic Sand, Kinetic Sand, and Sandtastik Sand. We have a range of carefully selected miniatures of various categories such as people, occupations, fantasy figures, animals, transportation, buildings, vegetation, abstract, etc. The miniatures placed in the sand tray become the individual’s “words.”
As the individual creates their world, the sand in the tray provides a sensory experience. Touching the sand is very therapeutic and allows for the child, teen, or adult to speak freely about their current issues as the sand helps reduce their anxiety and helps them to regulate. Sandtray also uses all of our senses which allows the brain to form more neurons.
While the individual is working on their tray, the sandtray therapist will observe how the individual is placing each miniature in the sand and will look for themes and metaphors. The counselor will try to understand the individual’s thoughts and beliefs in order to reflect them back to them in an accurate way. The counselor will ask the individual to give “their world” a name and will processes the tray with them. After the session, the counselor may take a picture of the sand tray.
Children, teens, and adults with trauma have difficulty with expressing their pain. It is easier for them to use the sand tray and miniatures to express their feelings as sand tray provides a safe place and gives children, teens, and adults a sense of control. The miniatures provide traumatized individuals the opportunity to express their feelings onto the miniatures. Sandtray Therapy often helps individuals access pre-verbal experiences that are in the unconscious mind (right brain).
How Does Sandtray Therapy Help Neurodivergent Individuals?
Sandtray Therapy is highly adaptable, making it an ideal therapeutic approach for neurodivergent clients, including those with Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and other neurodiverse conditions. Here’s how Sandtray Therapy can make a difference:
Non-Verbal Expression: For individuals who struggle with verbal communication, Sandtray Therapy offers an alternative way to express feelings and experiences without the need for words. This can be especially liberating for those with language delays or social anxiety.
Sensory Engagement: The tactile nature of sand and the visual stimuli provided by the miniature figures engage multiple senses. This sensory-rich experience can be soothing and grounding, helping clients to stay focused and calm. True Reflections Mental Health Services offers a variety of sand options to meet the sensory needs of the client.
Safe Exploration: The sand tray provides a contained and safe environment where clients can explore different scenarios and emotions at their own pace. This sense of safety encourages self-expression and emotional processing.
Enhanced Self-Awareness: Creating scenes in the sand allows clients to externalize their inner thoughts and feelings, promoting greater self-awareness and insight. This can lead to improved self-esteem and a better understanding of one’s emotions and behaviors.
Address Social Navigation Needs: Sandtray Therapy can be a playful way to practice address social navigation needs and problem solve. Through the creation of stories and/or interactions between figures, clients can explore social dynamics and develop better interpersonal skills.
Emotional Regulation: By engaging in the therapeutic process of creating and/or narrating sandtray scenes, clients can work through difficult emotions and learn strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and frustration.
Who Can Benefit from Sandtray Therapy?
Children: Young children often find it easier to express themselves through play. Sandtray Therapy can help them process difficult emotions, improve communication skills, and develop coping mechanisms.
Teens: Adolescents can use Sandtray Therapy to navigate the complex social and emotional difficulties of their developmental stage. It provides a non-judgmental space to explore identity and relationships.
Adults: Neurodivergent adults can benefit from the reflective and meditative aspects of Sandtray Therapy. It can aid in managing stress, improving self-awareness, and enhancing emotional well-being.
Our Approach
Sandtray Therapy sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. I provide a supportive environment where clients feel seen, heard, and respected. My goal is to empower neurodivergent individuals to harness their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve a greater sense of peace and fulfillment.
If you or a loved one could benefit from Sandtray Therapy, schedule an appointment below!