Exploring the Healing Power of Sand Tray Therapy

Stories in the Sand: Exploring the Healing Power of Sand Tray Therapy in Trauma and Emotional Processing (3HR)

$45.00

Course Description

Sand Tray Therapy is a powerful, expressive therapy modality that provides clients with a safe and creative way to process trauma, explore emotions, and enhance self-awareness. This course offers mental health professionals an in-depth introduction to Sand Tray Therapy, focusing on its application in trauma work and emotional processing.

Participants will learn the theoretical foundations of Sand Tray Therapy, explore how symbolic expression fosters healing, and gain hands-on experience in using miniatures and tray techniques. The course will also highlight neuroscience-informed principles that support the effectiveness of this approach in working with children, adolescents, and adults. Through case studies, experiential learning, and guided demonstrations, attendees will leave with practical skills to integrate Sand Tray Therapy into their clinical practice.

Upon completion of the webinar, participants will be able to:

Understand the theoretical foundations of Sand Tray Therapy and its connection to trauma processing.
Identify the role of symbolic representation in emotional expression and healing.
Utilize Sand Tray techniques to support clients in exploring and resolving trauma.
Recognize key theme

Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Samantha Silverberg-Stout, LPC, PsyD

Recording Date: 10/11/2025

Course Format

NBCC ACEP # 7091, CE Training Workshops has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #7091. Programs that do not qualify are clearly identified. CE Training Workshops is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CE Training Workshops designates this continuing education activity for 3 continuing education hours.

CE Training Workshops, LLC, #1770, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/02/2025 to 08/02/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

Meet Your Facilitator

Samantha is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Infant Mental Health Expert (IMH-E®), EMDR Certified Therapist (EMDRIA), and Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator. Holding dual master’s degrees in psychology from the New School and Clinical Psychology from La Salle University, she recently completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University, with a dissertation on parenting and serious mental illness (SMI).

Syllabus

Introduction

This course explores the use of Sand Tray Therapy as an expressive, trauma-informed intervention. Participants will examine the theoretical foundations, symbolic processes, and clinical applications of sand tray work to support trauma processing, emotional regulation, and integration across the lifespan.

Objective 1: Understand the Theoretical Foundations of Sand Tray Therapy

Participants will explore the Jungian and symbolic foundations of Sand Tray Therapy and how expressive therapy models support nonverbal access to traumatic material. The course will also review key neuroscience principles that explain why sand tray work is effective in trauma treatment.

Objective 2: Understand Trauma Processing and Symbolism in Sand Tray

This section focuses on identifying symbolic patterns associated with trauma responses and healing. Participants will learn to distinguish between trauma-linked symbolism and indicators of integration, and how changes in symbolic expression reflect progress in trauma recovery.

Objective 3: Apply Techniques of Sand Tray Therapy

Participants will learn the essential therapist stance for sand tray work, including reflective presence and emotional containment. The course will cover how to create a safe and inclusive sand tray environment and how to support client autonomy during the process.

Objective 4: Integrate Sand Tray Into Trauma Practice

This section explores the use of both directive and non-directive sand tray interventions in clinical work. Participants will learn how to adapt sand tray techniques for telehealth settings and apply interventions across a range of trauma presentations and developmental stages.

Summary and Q&A

The course concludes with a summary of key concepts and an opportunity for discussion, reflection, and integration of sand tray interventions into trauma-informed clinical practice.