Sand tray therapy is a type of experiential workshop that lets the participants identify and explore emotional issues more deeply and thoroughly using a sand tray and a number of miniature objects. This type of therapy is suitable for both children and adults. The sand tray is typically composed of a tray with a blue bottom, sand, miniature objects and water. Sand tray therapy is an expressive and dynamic play process where the participant is encouraged to create a world in the tray by tracing patterns in the sand or by placing the miniature objects into configurations that they prefer.

The subject is allowed to play with the sand as they wish to. There is no right or wrong way to play. Many participants try digging into the sand while others build it up. Some create mountains and valleys while others create a ‘world’ by placing objects and figures exactly where they want to. Some even create a dramatic story to accompany their sand art. This type of therapy works by bringing to the surface the images, dilemmas, fears, hopes and dreams of the subject.

By exploring these thoughts and feelings, the participant allows conscious and unconscious aspects of the psyche to interact with each other. The therapist’s role is neither to interpret nor analyze the subject’s sand art form. The subject simply shares it with the therapist. The result is increased self-awareness and enhanced communication. As they say, a picture paints a thousand words. In the same way, the sand-world created by the subject is an expression of feelings, emotions, conflicts and issues that they would otherwise not been able to express verbally.

Play therapy is another counseling approach that uses games, toys and objects such as clay and paint to help a child or a teenager express their emotions and thoughts. Through play therapy, the child or teen is encouraged to sort out and understand the feelings that they would otherwise have not had the chance to identify and figure out properly. Play therapy allows the child to communicate at their own level and pace without the need to explain verbally the issues and problems that they are experiencing. This avoids the feeling of being interrogated and threatened that often upsets children and teens during a therapy session.

Play therapy has many benefits. It can help the child become more aware of his feelings and how to express them in constructive ways .This results to self-knowledge and practice of social skills that help the child become more self-confident and gain self-respect as well as respect for others.