Sandplay And The Clinical Relationship

Sandplay and the Clinical Relationship provides a grounding in clinical theory, neuroscience and attachment theory that is profoundly helpful to clinicians working in a variety of modalities. This book also opens up new territory in sandplay, helping sandplay therapists work with clinical issues that classical sandplay theory does not specifically address. Linda Cunningham delves into the nuances of the relational field and the profound containing function that the therapeutic relationship must provide. Through somatic, emotional, symbolic, and spiritual connection with our clients - what Dr. Cunningham calls "The Self in Relationship" - unrealized aspects of the Self are drawn out and transformed. Jungian sandplay therapists have traditionally focused on three aspects of clinical work: the meaning of symbols, the importance of connecting with the Self, and the qualities of empathy and presence in the therapeutic relationship. While much has been written about various symbols and their meaning in sandplay, much less has been written about the constellation of the Self or how to work silently within the clinical relationship. Sandplay and the Clinical Relationship explores how-through the clinical relationship itself-symbols arise, the Self is constellated, and deep healing occurs.

Sandplay in Three Voices provides a unique and engaging understanding of sandplay - a growing modality of psychotherapy. Emerging out of informal conversations among three senior therapists, it examines the essential aspects of sandplay therapy as well as the depth and breadth of the human psyche. The book is organized into eight sections covering eight of the most important topics in sandplay - Therapist, Silence, Child, Mother, Self, Shadow, Chaos, and Numinous. Each section begins with a trialogue discussing theory, history and practice of sandplay in that area. The trialogues allow the reader to witness three senior therapists addressing and attempting to understand the many layers of each topic, and reflect their agreements and disagreements as they reveal their individual thoughts on, and personal experiences of, the themes they discuss. Each trialogue is followed by a set of solo presentations in which each author focuses on her contribution, and on the role of each topic in sandplay. Illustrated by original clinical examples, this unique approach addresses issues of concern to analysts and other psychotherapists. Its basic orientation makes it of particular value in the study, practice and teaching of sandplay therapy.

Family therapy that doesn't actively and intentionally engage children is not family therapy, notes Daniel Sweeney's extended introduction in support of Lois Carey's creative synthesis of sandplay therapy with a family systems orientation. Reminding us that we can only take clients as far as we ourselves have been able to go, Carey reveals her own very personal involvement with the process. She explores the application of sandplay therapy as she learned it from Dora Kalff, among others, and shares her professional experience in a chapter on equipping the office with miniatures and also with cameras (for give-away Polaroids and for record-keeping slides) touching such bottom lines as how to deal with the mess and how to handle the theft of a figure. While Carey cites case examples, complete with pictures, to illustrate her use of sandplay in working with children, she also demonstrates that the medium appeals to the inner child in the adult. Moreover, the sandbox itself sets physical and symbolic limits that enhance therapy with family members, and the sandplay becomes a forum for alliances that the clinician can observe in action and intervene to restructure. Lois Carey makes the case effortless by teaching lessons bound to be welcomed by any professional looking for new tools or open to fresh perspectives.

The Routledge International Handbook of Sandplay Therapy provides a comprehensive overview of this therapeutic method, developed to provide a means of helping clients of all ages with mental suffering. The contributors, from a range of therapeutic and cultural backgrounds, demonstrate core theory and practice, and explore the implications of current neuroscientific research. The chapters illustrate the effectiveness of this seemingly simple psychotherapeutic tool in its contemporary applications. Split into six parts, this handbook considers: Sandplay therapy in medicine Sandplay with special populations Sandplay in analysis and general practice Adaptions of the Sandplay method in education Sandplay and the spirit Non-Jungian uses of the sand tray in therapeutic applications Unique in scope and breadth, this handbook will appeal to academics and students of Jungian psychotherapy, as well as occupational therapists, art and play therapists, and all clinicians using Sandplay therapy as part of their professional practice.

Sandplay is one of the fastest growing therapies. What are its origins, who were it pioneers, and how have they influenced the current practice of sandplay? What does the future hold? Rie Rogers Mitchell and Harriet S. Friedman have written a unique book that answers all these questions and many more. They give an overview of the historical origins of sandplay, including biographical profiles of the innovators together with discussions of their seminal writings. The five main therapeutic trends are explored, and in a final chapter the future of sandplay is discussed through addressing emerging issues and concerns. A special feature is a comprehensive international bibliography as well as a listing of sandtray videotapes and audiotapes.

This seminal text by the founder of sandplay therapy offers clinicians and students a foundational account of the workings and practice of this therapy. Through simple but elegant narratives of actual casework, Kalff articulates her theoretical understanding of how sandplay therapy heals and transforms the psyche. Dr. Martin Kalff, the author’s son, provides a new introduction in which he shares original historical material about his mother and her development of the sandplay therapy method. A comprehensive index and tables of illustrations and references are included for ease of study and understanding.

This book is a reference for mental health professionals who utilize sandplay therapy with their child and/or adult clients. The Brief consists of case studies that are drawn from composite situations occurring in actual practice. Although some of the ethical issues raised and addressed are specific to sandplay therapy, others are generalizable to other modalities of mental health practice. Each chapter draws on ethical principles of clinical practice and research. The Brief includes relevant portions of professional ethics codes governing mental health professionals from an array of English-speaking countries—Australia, Canada, the U.K., the U.S., and New Zealand—to maximize the relevance of the text to sandplay therapists globally, whether they are licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, counselors, or social workers.