Going Deeper in the Sand Tray: A Play Therapist's Experiential Journey

Going Deeper in the Sand Tray: A Play Therapist's Experiential Journey

Utilizing a sand tray in play therapy provides a powerful, nonverbal method for children to express and process their emotional experiences. While many play therapists learn the foundational aspects of using sand in play, advancing to deeper levels of understanding and intervention with a sand tray requires intentional experiential practice on the part of the practitioner. This intermediate-level workshop is designed for clinicians with foundational training in play therapy who wish to deepen their therapeutic attunement, symbolic interpretation, and intervention skills using a sand tray in their play therapy. Participants will engage in hands-on experiential exercises, examine clinical case examples, and refine their use of metaphor and symbol to facilitate meaningful transformation in children.

Date: Friday, November 7, 2025

Time: | 9:00 AM -4:00 PM

Location: 15 Spinning Wheel Drive, Hinsdale, IL Lower Level Conference Room

Please note: This is a Live Event with no live streaming available

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER

Susan Stutzman is a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois, a registered play therapist-supervisor, and an early childhood development educator. She is the co-founder of Play Therapy Toolbox, a live and online resource providing play therapy training for professionals.

Susan is also the owner of Kid Matters Counseling in Hinsdale, IL where they have helped hundreds of kids and parents resolve emotional conflict, cultivate healing, and nurture hope. Susan regularly contributes to Parent Matters, a newsletter and podcast resource for parents provided by Kid Matters Counseling.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Deepen Therapist Presence and Attunement in the Sand Tray Process

2. Expand Symbolic Literacy and Interpretive Skills

3. Utilize Thematic Mapping for Deeper Process Tracking

4. Engage the Child's Internal Resources Through Directive Trays

5. Apply Trauma-Informed Experiential Techniques

6. Discuss Ethical Considerations and possible issues of Countertransference

**Continuing Education Credits:**

This course meets the requirements for 6 contact CE credits under the Association for Play Therapy category "Skills & Methods".

CE is awarded for Master's Level mental health students or professionals, specifically in play therapy.

Credits are offered and awarded to participants who attend the event in its entirety and complete and submit a post-test.

Play Therapy Toolbox offers continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 18-533 maintains responsibility for the program.

Play Therapy Toolbox has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7752. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Play Therapy Toolbox is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.