How Does Sand Play Therapy Impact Mental Health?
What is Sand Play therapy?
Sand play therapy or sand tray therapy can be helpful for people who have experienced a traumatic event, such as abuse or a destructive incident. Sand play therapy is most frequently used with kids, but teens and adults can also benefit from it. Sand play is used by Child psychologists during this therapy to evaluate, identify, or treat a range of mental illnesses. According to research, sand tray therapy can increase emotional expression while lowering any potential psychological distress brought on by talking about traumatic events or experiences. The idea behind sand play therapy is that if a therapist gives a client a safe space, the client will use the sand tray to come up with solutions to their problems by themselves.
A person can explore memories and experiences that might be too painful or challenging to express or talk about as well as move toward healing in a safe, protected environment. One such secure environment is provided by sand play therapy. To support a person in dealing with distress and trauma in a nonverbal way, it can be used in conjunction with talk therapy and to activate the mind-body connection.
Types of Sand play Therapy
Play therapy includes the use of sand trays. Additional prevalent forms of play therapy include:
Bibliotherapy - Bibliotherapy is a practice that examines particular ideas or abilities through literature.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Cognitive behavioral therapy relies heavily on play to teach children new ways of thinking and acting. One such example is asking the child to give counsel to their stuffed animal or doll on how to handle a difficult circumstance.
Filial therapy - which teaches parents to engage in play-based interactions with their children,
Imaginary Plays - Toys like dress-up outfits, puppets, or action figures are used in imaginary play to encourage children's creativity.
How does sand play therapy work?
Children, teenagers, and adults can all benefit from the nonverbal, expressive counseling technique known as "sand play therapy." where sand and miniature objects were combined as a means of communication. Different therapeutic modalities and techniques are typically used with the sand tray. A sand tray with a blue interior is commonly used, along with water and a variety of miniature objects, such as: Humans and fictional characters, animals, Vegetation, Buildings, nature, vehicles, signs and fences, spiritual things, landscape features and goods for the home.
We have a Sand play Therapy room filled with toys and figurines of every size and shape. The main actor in sand tray therapy techniques is the patient, who can select figures and place them in the sand tray as they please. Therapists might offer guidance or pose questions. The patient is able to express themselves artistically and dramatically while making decisions and arranging the figures. Sessions using a sand tray typically last between 30 and 90 minutes.
Patients can set up scenes or create artwork that allows them to act out their pain, issues, or experiences from a third-person perspective during sand play therapy. Since they are in charge and have the ability to decide what happens and why in the sand tray, they can learn more about their own mental and emotional states. As they don't have to share their private experiences or feelings with anyone, they can work through problems without reliving trauma. However, Counseling psychologists do not have to interact with the participant in order to promote the healing process; they can simply facilitate and observe alongside the patient, asking questions and perhaps offering additional insights.
The goal of sand play therapy is to assist patients in developing their own solutions to the problems or scenarios they produce.
Sand play Therapy is enjoyable and beneficial to the kinetic and visual learning processes because it provides a sensory experience. In order to allow participants to stand or sit while working in the sand, the tray table itself is frequently elevated. It provides a creative outlet for overcoming cognitive distress and works well for kids, teens, and adults. In fact, studies have shown that sand tray therapy increases psychological well-being, resilience, and positive self-expression.
Find a qualified professional. While any psychotherapist may be able to offer sand play therapy, some Online counselor have specialized certification in sand play therapy. A list of licensed sand play therapists is provided by Sand play Therapists. You can take advice from the Best psychologist in India or search for the Best psychologist delhi.
You may also schedule an appointment with renowned, skilled psychologists at the Psychowellness Centre,, which has locations around Delhi NCR, NOIDA, Faridabad, Janakpuri, Dwarka, and Vasant Vihar, to get mental health therapy.
Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, life coach & mentor TalktoAngel & MS. SWATI YADAV, Psychologist.
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