Sand tray and sand play therapies are two closely linked types of therapies that both use a container, sand and miniatures. Sand tray is more structured with specific questioning to promote thought around certain topics. Sand play has less structure and following the philosophy of archetypes and types, sand play encourages the human mind to develop its own sense of order from the chaos that trauma brings.
Both are extremely helpful for when words fail us. It can cross cultures and move beyond fear.
Both can be quite involved and intense. It isn't for everybody. There is a lot to be said for the role of sand. It's tactile nature can evoke different memories and a sand tray or sand play therapist will quite likely have different sized boxes or containers and different types of sand. The wide choice of miniatures for some can be frightening and for others it can be liberating to be able to have so many tools to help tell and share their life experiences.
I personally found it a helpful tool to understand and come to terms with the slowed emotional development of children who have been directly impacted by or a witness to, domestic and family violence. The most important role of the counsellor in this is to listen; not to interpret, not to make deductions, to listen to the experience unfolding.
Sand tray and sand play can be delivered remotely as well and is quite effective. It does miss out on the tactile feeling of the sand and miniatures but is COVID resilient and remains a helpful tool.
Here are some YouTube videos that may help explain why we embrace sand tray and sand play therapies: