Do you remember a time spent playing in the sand? Maybe in a sandbox, at the beach, or maybe in an art class? The feel of sand can evoke powerful memories.

Sand tray therapy is a type of art therapy that involves placing figures in a tray of sand. There are many ways a therapist may prompt a client to create a world in the sand. Across all the methods, however, the client is in control of their world, the placement and the interpretation. It is a method of moving deeper in conversation, through imagery and metaphor. It can help a client to become “unstuck” in their thinking about an issue. It can inspire creativity about a problem.

Sand tray can be used with all ages. Sometimes adolescents and adults can find it difficult to use imagination. Sand tray can open the possibilities.