Introduction to Jungian Sandplay, Part 2

Presented by Harriet Friedman, M.A., Marion Anderson, Ph.D., Gita Morena, Ph.D., M.F.T., and Sachiko Taki-Reece, Ed.D., M.F.T.

Sandplay is a hands-on, non-verbal therapeutic modality based on the work of C.G. Jung and Dora Kalff.  It provides an opportunity for the symbolic expression and experience of aspects of the unconscious through the creation of scenes, using  miniatures in a tray of sand.  This allows both client and therapist an opportunity to observe the development of a symbolic process. Clinically, it has been found to be a powerful tool for dealing with experiences for which some clients “have no words” such as trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, and life transitions,

This is the second weekend of a comprehensive and sequential Jungian Sandplay training program intended for mental health professionals and graduate students.  Topics to be covered include the relationship of Sandplay to Jungian psychology, the evolution of symbolic imagery as seen in sandplay case examples, the importance of initial trays, the development of symbols from a personal and archetypal perspective, discussion of case material, as well as an opportunity to work experientially.  Training hours can be applied towards Sandplay certification through STA (Sandplay Therapists of America).

Learning objectives:

• Describe the theoretical basis for the practice of sandplay therapy from a Jungian perspective;
• Describe the relationship between Jungian theory and the practice of sandtray therapy;
• Describe how sandplay therapy helps a patient lower their defenses;
• Describe similarities and differences between Jungian sandplay and other sand tray techniques;
• Describe the use of symbolic imagery in psychotherapy from a Jungian perspective;
• Describe how to distinguish between personal and collective symbols in a tray;
• Describe how sandplay therapy can help a patient mentalize affective experience;
• Describe what features to look for in a patient’s initial tray;
• Give an example of a sandplay case which reflected working through of grief and loss;
• Give an example of a sandplay case which reflected regression and impasse;
• Describe a case study which reflected a patient working through a change of life transition;
• Describe a case study which reflected a patient working through an experience of trauma;
• Describe what is meant by the individuation process, and stages of development;
• Give an example of the three stages of individuation using a sandtray case.

Marion Anderson, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, certified teaching member of STA/ISST and a Jungian Analyst working in private practice in Santa Monica. She is a faculty member of the Reiss Davis Graduate Center and the Reiss Davis Fellowship program and teaches sandplay and Jungian theory nationally and internationally. She is a founding member of IBT-Sandplay in Brazil and for over 20 years works with groups in painting inner images of the psyche.

Harriet Friedman, MA, MFT, is a Jungian analyst in private practice in West Los Angeles. She is a founding member of Sandplay Therapists of America, a member of the International Society of Sandplay Therapy, and a former Director of the Hilde Kirsch Children’s Center. Co-author of Sandplay: Past, Present, and Futureand author of Supervision of Sandplay Therapy, she lectures frequently on Sandplay and Jungian psychology.

Gita Morena PhD, MFT, is a teaching member of ISST/STA (CST-T), co-founder and member of STA’s Sandplay Therapy Institute team, research editor for the Journal of Sandplay Therapy, and past chair of the STA research committee. As a transpersonal psychotherapist, Dr. Morena is particularly interested in the mind-body-spirit connection, and incorporates a Jungian orientation and Buddhist perspective to address core issues of psychological and emotional healing. She has a private practice in West Los Angeles, and teaches sandplay around the world.

Sachiko Taki-Reece, Ed.D., M.F.T., is a Jungian Analyst, in private practice in Silver Lake where she also offers supervision. A member of the teaching faculty at the C. G Jung Institute of LA, she has published several research articles on Sandplay, as well as book chapters in both English and Japanese.