Healing Through the Power of Play and Symbols
Written by: Masha Broadbent
NZ Registered Counsellor and mental health professional
Imagine being able to tell a story without saying a word. That’s what sand tray therapy offers – a safe space to express thoughts and feelings that can be hard to put into language.
Whether you’re a child struggling to understand big emotions or an adult carrying quiet burdens, sand tray therapy provides a powerful path to healing.
What is Sand Tray Therapy?
Sand tray therapy is a type of expressive therapy in which clients use a tray filled with sand and a variety of miniature figures – animals, people, trees, buildings, and fantasy creatures – to create scenes or stories.
The process may seem simple, but it taps into deep layers of the mind. The tray becomes a world where inner thoughts, conflicts, memories, and hopes can safely unfold.
🌱 For Children: Speaking Through Symbols
Children often don’t have the vocabulary to fully explain how they feel, especially when experiencing trauma, anxiety, or family changes . But give them a tray of sand and some miniatures, and they begin to communicate in their natural language play.
In the sand, a dragon might guard a tower, a tiny child might stand alone on a cliff, or a storm cloud might loom over a house. These images offer rich clues into what the child is experiencing emotionally.
As a therapist, I don’t rush to interpret these symbols. Instead, I stay curious, offering gentle reflections and inviting the child to explore their scene. This builds safety and trust – the foundation for any healing journey.
🌊 For Adults: Depth Work Without Pressure
Adults often come to therapy carrying years of complex stories – sometimes ones they’ve never told out loud. Sand tray therapy offers a nonverbal, symbolic way to explore these stories when words feel too heavy or hard.
The act of placing figures in the sand allows deep emotional material to surface, often without needing to “dig it up” in a traditional talk-therapy way. It’s especially helpful for adults who:
- Feel stuck or overwhelmed by emotions
- Have experienced trauma
- Struggle with anxiety or grief
- Processing identity, relationships, or past experiences
Even for those who are skeptical at first, the tactile nature of the sand and the process of creating can be unexpectedly grounding and insightful.
Why It Works
Sand tray therapy combines elements of play, art, and mindfulness. It invites the brain’s creative and emotional centres to speak up — the parts that often stay quiet in logical, structured conversations.
In the sand tray, we can:
- See problems from a new angle
- Gain emotional distance from painful memories
- Discover hidden strengths
- Find resolutions through symbolic action
And most importantly, the sand tray becomes a container – both literally and emotionally, for the stories we carry.
Final Thoughts
Healing doesn’t always begin with words. Sometimes it begins with placing a tiny figure in a patch of sand and seeing what unfolds.
Whether you’re a child discovering your voice or an adult seeking peace, sand tray therapy offers a gentle, powerful way to reconnect with yourself.
Interested in exploring sand tray therapy for yourself or your child? Our team of psychologists and therapists such as Masha Broadbent can help you get started contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is sand tray therapy and how does it work?
Sand tray therapy is a type of expressive therapy that uses a tray of sand and miniature figures to help clients create scenes that represent their inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences—without relying solely on words.
Is sand tray therapy only for children?
Not at all. While children often engage with it naturally through play, adults also use sand tray therapy to process complex emotions, memories, or past trauma in a safe and symbolic way.
Do I need to be creative or artistic to try sand tray therapy?
Don’t worry, there’s no right or wrong way to use the sand tray. The process is about expression and healing, not creativity or artistic ability.
Is sand tray therapy evidence-based?
Yes. Research supports sand tray therapy’s effectiveness, particularly for trauma and developmental concerns. It’s widely used by trained psychologists and therapists as a recognised therapeutic approach.
Can I do sand tray therapy online or virtually?
While sand tray therapy is most commonly done in-person due to its tactile nature, there are adapted virtual options available. Ask your therapist about modified online sand tray tools or symbolic alternatives.
