About the Workshop

Sandplay therapy is a play-based technique that is a valuable and powerful tool for counsellors, therapists and psychologists. It is a nonverbal, less intrusive, and fun adjunct to the mainly cognitive and behavioural modalities of traditional “talking” therapies. It is a self-directed and expressive therapy, and suitable for use by adults and children alike from many client populations.

The origins of Sandplay are from the analytical work of Margaret Kalff and Carl Jung. Clients choose figurines and real symbols from life (utilising small objects, pieces and figures) to place into a tray of sand to form a picture. The tray symbolises a protected space that is safe for expression; the sand is the place that land and water merge and represents a bridge between the conscious and the unconscious. The figurines or miniatures are symbolic of the world at large. It allows both adult and child clients to portray feelings and experiences that may be suppressed, painful, or difficult to express. This can lead to profound shifts in levels of understanding and emotional healing. One of the attributes of is that change comes from within the client.

This workshop will focus significantly on experiential learning and interactive participation. As the therapy is not diagnostic, this workshop will provide a first level of training to give encouragement and confidence to participants in working with Sandplay. The aim is to be a neutral and honoured witness to your client’s self-expression. It is about the gaining of insight, a reflection or narrative about what is created, and progressing to integration into the client’s life experience.

Learning Outcomes:

• Explore Sandplay as a creative therapy
• Understand Sandplay theory
• Understand Sandplay practice
• Develop skills to use Sandplay

About the Presenter

Cathy Banks
Educator/ Clinical Supervisor

Cathy Banks is Educator and Clinical Supervisor for NALAG and is registered with the Australian Counsellor’s Association (ACA MCOS 16575). Cathy has been associated with the field of grief and bereavement over the past 20 years and has trained many volunteers and professionals in grief theory and interventions all over NSW.

Cathy is a very keen Sandplay therapist, with a background in working in schools and private practice. She has a strong interest in supporting child and adolescent grief, traumatic bereavement, and indigenous loss.

For more information contact:

NALAG Centre for Loss & Grief
Email: info@nalag.org.au
Phone: 02 6882 9222