Sandtray therapy is a creative, expressive therapeutic approach that uses a tray of sand and miniature figures and objects to help explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences – often beyond what words can express. Creative interventions are suited for both adults and teens.
A sandtray therapy session begins much like any other session – with space to check in and set the pace together. Then, I’ll invite you to create a scene in a tray filled with soft sand using various miniature figures and objects.
You can choose whatever speaks to you (animals, people, nature, abstract, etc.) and arrange them however you like: there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Some build a story or image, others explore what feels intuitive in the moment.
Once you’ve completed your tray, we’ll gently explore it together. I might ask what certain elements mean to you, how the scene feels, or whether anything has shifted. The goal isn’t to interpret or analyze, but to support insight, self-expression, and healing on your terms.
The sandtray process can bring insight, emotional release, and deeper understanding, especially when working through trauma, life transitions, or complex feelings. You don’t need any artistic skill: what matters is the process, not the product.
“The hands know how to solve a riddle that the mind has wrestled with in vain.”
— Carl Jung
Expressive arts therapy is a creative, integrative form of therapy that invites you to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences through art-making. No artistic skill is needed, only a willingness to express. Rather than focusing on the final product, expressive arts therapy values the process of creation as a pathway to insight, healing, and self-discovery.
Every expressive arts therapy session is shaped by your unique needs and energy on that day. It begins with a conversation and checking in on how you’re feeling and what you’d like to explore. From there, we might move into a creative process using materials such as:
You might create something in silence, or we might reflect as you create; there’s no pressure to share/interpret your work. Instead, we explore what the process brought up for you – emotionally, physically, or symbolically. The focus is on creating a space that feels supportive, non-judgmental, and centered around your inner experience.
Expressive arts therapy helps access feelings that are hard to articulate, open up new perspectives, and support emotional release in a safe, non-judgmental space. A safe space for adults and adolescents alike.
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply seeking a new way to connect with yourself, sandtray and expressive arts therapy offer a creative, gentle path to healing and self-discovery. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and learn how creative therapy can support your journey.